Abstract

Background and Aims: Benzodiazepines is a class of medications that are commonly mis-prescribed worldwide, despite their various side effects. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and identify the prescribing patterns of benzodiazepines among physicians working in King Abdulaziz Medical City.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Self-ad- ministered questionnaires were distributed to 350 physicians from different specialties. The participants were sampled using non-probability convenience sampling. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.

Results: 223 (74%) of the study participants were in the age group < 30 years, 167 (56%) of study participants were males, and 244 (81%) were residents. The most agreed-upon statements regarding benzodiazepines were “patients who use benzodiazepines for long periods tend to escalate their doses over time” 169 (66%), “good clinical practice requires periodic attempts to wean patients from benzodiazepines” 183 (61%), and “benzodiazepines increase the risk of cognitive impairment and falls in elderly” (59%). Among physicians who prescribed benzodiazepines, they mostly prescribed them monthly 114 (78%), to adults 125 (42%), and for the same rate for both male and female patients 130 (77%). Benzodi- azepines were mostly prescribed for anxiety 94 (59%) and panic disorders 78 (49.4%).

Conclusions: Physicians showed limited knowledge of benzodiazepines. Our recommendation is that training related to benzodiazepine prescription is needed at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Further studies regarding prescribing patterns of benzodiazepines is required to establish a better understanding of the prescribing patterns of these medications in Saudi Arabia.

Key words: Benzodiazepine, clinical practice patterns, knowledge, Saudi Arabia, substance-related Disorders