• Annemarie Kim Kozole Smid, Ajda Mlakar, and Vita Štukovnik.
• Annemarie Kim Kozole Smid, Faculty of Arts, Koroška street 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia, annemarie.kozole@student.um.si.
• Croat. Med. J. 2024 Apr 30; 65 (2): 146155146-155.

AimTo review the literature data on the prevalence of benzodiazepines abuse and poisoning in older adults; the prevalence of polypharmacy with benzodiazepines in this demographic; and determine whether benzodiazepine anxiolytics or hypnotics were more frequently implicated in the cases of abuse and poisoning.MethodsWe searched PubMed and Scopus for relevant studies published from January 1, 2013, to May 1, 2023. Twelve studies were included in the final selection.ResultsThe review highlights the diverse prevalence rates of benzodiazepine abuse and poisoning in the older adult population. Benzodiazepine anxiolytics were more frequently associated with negative outcomes than benzodiazepine hypnotics. Concurrent use of benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine-related medications, and opioids was reported, although these medications were not the only ones commonly used by the elderly.ConclusionIt is essential to increase awareness about adhering to prescribed pharmacological therapies to mitigate issues related to drug abuse and poisoning among older adults.

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