[A letter to benzodiazepine users--an efficient way to reduce the prescription]

Abstract

Eight general practitioners in Aust-Agder county (southern Norway) had 169 patients who were found to be suitable for receiving a letter arguing for reduction of daily benzodiazepine intake, or cessation of the drug. The patients were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. 4-12 months after receiving the letter, the amount of benzodiazepines (DDD/six months) prescribed had decreased by 51% in the intervention group and by 24% in the control group. The impression of the participating doctors was that the patients appreciated the information and that it was easier than expected to get the patients to reduce benzodiazepine intake. The marked reduction in the control group too indicates that the doctors' active attitude towards dose reduction had been applied towards these patients as well.