Reviewing the use of medicines regularly to determine whether they are still required is important for all medication but especially so for drugs associated with a higher risk of dependence such as opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, Z‑drugs or antidepressants.

Indeed, benzodiazepines, opioids (for chronic pain) and Z-drugs should only be prescribed for a limited period, due to the risk of dependence and withdrawal.¹²

Knowing when to stop

In cases where deprescribing is necessary to prevent or reduce the risk of a person becoming dependent on a drug the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides comprehensive guidance on general principles for prescribing and managing withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, Z‑drugs and antidepressants.

It stresses the importance of giving patients information about their medicines that they can understand and decisions about prescribing and deprescribing should be made jointly with patients.¹²