OBJECTIVES: In current clinical practice, guidelines to deprescribe Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are not available, which lead to its chronic use for longer periods than required. Long term use of BZDs may result in adverse effects which may negatively impact patient’s quality of life (QoL). Limited studies on the prescription pattern of BZDs and its deprescribing necessitated the need to improve the present scenario in India. Our study aimed to assess the feasibility of deprescribing amongst the patients visiting Department of Psychiatry.

METHODS: It was a prospective interventional study conducted for a period of 7 months from August to February 2017 at the Department of Psychiatry, Ramaiah Teaching Hospital, Bangalore. A total of 109 patients were recruited for the study based on the inclusion criteria. Deprescribing plan was suggested by tapering or medication cessation after discussing with the prescribing psychiatrist and inappropriate BZD users. The patients were monitored twice a month after deprescribing.

RESULTS: The study included 62(56.8%) males and 47(43.11%) females. Of all, 10(9.1%) patients were found to use BZDs appropriately. 36(33%) and 63(57.7%) patients were short term and long term users. BZD dependence was observed in 3(2.8%) patients. Following intervention, out of 109 patients, 33(30.3%) BZD users were deprescribed i.e, either dose tapered 6(5.5%) or completely ceased of BZD 27(24.8%). Clonazepam 29(26.6%) remained the most deprescribed BZD followed by lorazepam 3(2.8%). Chi-square test for sleep quality showed an association of sleep quality with deprescribing, p-value (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The current study emphasizes the importance of deprescribing as shared decision model involving physician, pharmacist and patients to deprescribe inappropriate BZDs use and improve QoL of patients. Implementation of deprescribing practice among long term users of benzodiazepine will minimize the adverse effects, polypharmacy and financial burden of patients.

Key words: Benzodiazepine, Deprescribing, Discontinuation, Quality of Life.