When might I be prescribed benzodiazepines?

They should only be prescribed to treat severe anxiety or severe insomnia, when either is having a significant impact on your daily life.

There are some situations when benzodiazepines may not be the most effective treatment. For example, if you are experiencing bereavement, these drugs may numb your emotions and stop you grieving properly.

But you may also be unable to sleep because of grief and anxiety. In this case, taking these drugs for a short time may help you relax and start to recover.

Our page on what you may need to know before taking medication has a list of things to ask your doctor before you begin taking any medication. This can help you to decide whether benzodiazepines are right for you.

How often to take benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are likely to be most effective if you take them as a one-off dose. They can also be effective as a short-term treatment for a few weeks. Doctors will usually advise that you should:

• avoid taking them every day
• take them for no longer than four weeks.

These drugs are less likely to keep working if you take them continuously for more than a few weeks. This is because your brain can get used to their effects. It can also mean that when you stop taking the drugs, your brain becomes very sensitive to natural brain chemicals.

But in some cases, doctors may prescribe them at low doses for longer periods. This does not always cause problems, and it could be the best treatment for some people.

Who should avoid taking Them?

Your doctor will not normally prescribe you benzodiazepines if you have:

• severe lung disease or breathing problems
• sleep apnoea (breathing problems during sleep)
• severe liver or kidney disease
• severe and uncontrolled myasthenia gravis (a neuromuscular condition).

Your doctor may be cautious about offering you benzodiazepines if you have:

• chest and lung problems
• muscle weakness, such as myasthenia gravis
• a history of alcohol or drug abuse
• a diagnosis of personality disorder.

Your doctor should prescribe a reduced dose of benzodiazepines if you have:

• liver or kidney problems
• porphyria (a rare, inherited illness)

Whether you are prescribed benzodiazepines may also depend on your age:

• Benzodiazepines are not suitable for children. This is except for rare cases of anxiety or insomnia caused by fear or sleepwalking, when diazepam may be prescribed.
• Older people should be given a lower dose than the standard adult dose.