[Are benzodiazepines correctly used in the elderly?].

Benzodiazepines are substances susceptible of producing drug dependence in addition to tolerability to sedative effects and frequent interactions when associated with other drugs. Thus, use of long half life benzodiazepines and inadequate intermediate and short half life dosage is related with falls and fractures in elderly patients. A retrospective study was conducted on the official prescriptions made during 2000-2003 and the daily dose defined per thousand patients/day (DDD/I) was used as a measurement of drug consumption. Prescription of benzodiazepines that are eliminated by oxidative metabolism should be revaluated and modified by other of conjunctive metabolism when treating elderly patients to decrease adverse reactions such as excess sedation, risk of falls and associated fractures.