Recent Changes of Labels on Benzodiazepines Predicted to Impact Mental Health Community

The United States Food and Drug Administration is requiring Benzodiazepines to have an updated warning on boxes, as of Sept. 23. 

The updates on the label must include risk factors for the consumption of the drug. According to the FDA, this includes “abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions to help improve their safe use.” Dr. Teresa Amato, the chair of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills hopes that "by adding verbiage to the current warning that providers will be extra careful in not only prescribing these medications, but also to be mindful of the duration."

Benzodiazepines are drugs used to treat anxiety, depression, seizures, and more impediments. These drugs are lethal in an overdose.

 Many substance abusers in the world take Benzodiazepines. Xanax, known as Alprazolam, is one of the most common drugs to be abused; according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse survey in 2016, 12.5% of adults in the U.S. take Benzodiazepines. In that 12.5%, at least 2.1% have misused them. 

While this may seem like a small number, those who have not prescribed the drug are unaccounted for. Users may experience withdrawals, which can lead to an addiction to Benzodiazepines. Although there are many risks, benzodiazepines are essential therapies, but are often misused and combined with other drugs or alcohol, claims FDA commissioner Stephen M. Hahn. This is one of the reasons why the label change is so important. It will allow a user to refrain from combining drugs or limiting the amount they take. 

Mental health ties into the abuse of Benzodiazepine because those who suffer from mental health are prescribed these drugs. If patients receive drugs classified as Benzodiazepines and are possible risks to themselves (suicidal), there is a high chance of substance abuse, which will most likely lead to suicidal ideation. Many people taking the drug as medication are often misinformed about the dangers of taking it mixed with other medicines. The specification described previously will be written on the bottles of the medication. The labeling change will potentially generate professionals to be more aware of their drug prescriptions and the risks associated.