Case scenario

A national education program for pharmacists funded by the Australian Government under the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program.

Harry, aged 79, regularly presents to collect his temazepam 10 mg prescription with directions ’10 mg nocte when required’. At his most recent visit, he mentions that he is regularly waking to use the bathroom due to increased bladder frequency (2–3 times per night) and wonders if he should increase his dose so that he stops waking so regularly. You confirm that Harry has been taking temazepam for 6 years and you ask how helpful this medicine has been since he started.

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:
  • Discuss risks associated with benzodiazepine receptor agonist use
  • Recommend evidence-based treatments for insomnia
  • Discuss symptoms associated with withdrawal from long-term benzodiazepine receptor
    agonist therapy
  • Explain how pharmacists can help manage withdrawal from long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist therapy. 

Competency standards (2016) addressed:

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