Health Policy Commons^™

Efforts To Reduce Concomitant Opioid And Benzodiazepine Prescribing At The Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kaitlyn A. Staton

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic. Any person who uses an opioid medication may experience an intentional or unintentional overdose. An overdose is more likely to occur when an individual ingests an opioid in combination with certain classes of medications, such as benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepines (Z-drugs). These medications are more likely to cause sedation and respiratory depression when taken together. Veterans, due to their unique mental and physical health challenges, are more likely to experience an overdose when they receive a combination of opioid therapy with benzodiazepine or Z-drug therapy as opposed to a single …