The elderly are more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines and other sedative/hypnotics than younger patients.
Smaller doses in the elderly may be effective and safer.
In most patients, total daily doses of benzodiazepines should not exceed:
- 3 mg for lorazepam (Ativan®)
- 60 mg for oxazepam (Serax®)
- 2 mg for alprazolam (Xanax®)
- 15 mg for temazepam (Restoril®)
- 5 mg for zolpidem (Ambien®)
- 0.25 mg for triazolam (Halcion®)
(Beers MH. Arch Intern Med 1997;157:1531-1536)
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- Don't prescribe excessive doses of any benzodiazepine.
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