Benzodiazepines in schizophrenia

Aims and Method We sought to determine the prevalence of long-term benzodiazepine prescribing in patients with schizophrenia occupying psychiatric rehabilitation beds. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 11 National Health Service trusts. Results Almost10% of patients occupying rehabilitation beds had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and received long-term benzodiazepines in combination with one or more anti-psychotics. Clinical Implications Our results are consistent with those of other authors and show that benzodiazepines are frequently used inthe long-term in patients with schizophrenia despite a lack of open acknowledgement of this practice and a paucity of objective data to support its efficacy.