Benzodiazepines Deprescribing

Among older adults (≥65 years), use of sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines and other sedative-hypnotics, to treat sleep problems is common. While sleeping pills are effective in the first few weeks of use, their effect diminishes significantly after that. Especially older adults are susceptible to significant adverse effects of sleep pills, yet stopping sleeping pills remains challenging. BE-SAFE aims to conduct a randomised study testing a patient-centred intervention to reduce sleeping pill use and to improve patient safety and quality of care focusing on implementation aspects. The intervention addresses knowledge and practice gaps related to discontinuation of sleeping pills in older adults with sleep problems.