The Department of Health has launched the Benzogutuna tool to promote the correct use of benzodiazepines
Personalized letters will be sent to about 20,000 patients who use benzodiazepines over a long period of time, in cases where benzodiazepines used to treat insomnia could be progressively reduced or eliminated.
Benzodiazepines. Stock Photo: Europa Press
The Department of Health of the Basque Government has launched an innovative information and awareness-raising tool called Benzogutuna , specifically aimed at patients who use benzodiazepines for a long period of time . In this context, personalized letters will be sent to about 20,000 patientsin cases where benzodiazepines used in the treatment of insomnia or anxiety may be progressively reduced or removed.
The letter, signed by the Primary Care doctor, will be accompanied by information material with recommendations for gradual and safe reduction of medication and advice on healthy sleep habits, as well as a guidance patternfor reducing the dose by 18 weeks.
According to the Department of Health, more than half of people who take benzodiazepines exceed the recommended treatment time, although the decision to start retiring benzodiazepines will be assessed individually by thedoctor based on the clinical status of each patient.
The initiative has been presented within the framework of the strategy for the correct use of benzodiazepines in the Basque Country, in Bilbao, with the participation of theDirector of Pharmacy, Iñaki Betolaza, K\u00A0, and theepidemiologist of Osakidetza, Eduardo Millán .
Prolonged consumption is particularly common among older people and women, and can be associated with addiction, loss of efficacy, cognitive disorders , or increased risk of falls .
The initiative is part of the strategy to promote the proper use of these drugs and is based on previous experiences developed in the Basque Country, where a pilot project managed to get 22% of patients to leave treatment and another 18% to reduce their dose. Currently,more than 300,000 people are kept above the recommended treatment time.
For the selectionofpatients, family doctors shall examine each case individually to verify that the patient meets the criteria and that the intervention is appropriate to his or her specific clinical situation and social and family context.
You might like
A 36-year-old Basque mountaineer was seriously injured in Asturias when a rock fell as he climbed
Apparently, the stone has fallen about 300 metres above where the woman was, who has suffered severe head trauma and has been transferred to the Asturias General University Hospital (HUCA).
Hundreds of people received the Freedom Flotilla ship in the Basque Country
He plans to stay in the Basque Country until Tuesday, the 8th, when he will leave for Vigo and then continue to other areas of the Mediterranean. During the ship's stay in Bilbao, various events have been organised, including conferences, performances, a Palestinian fair and a press conference with activists from the flotilla.
A 25-year-old woman has been arrested in Elciego on charges of running over her partner
He has been charged with attempted murder in the area of domestic violence. The incident took place around 7.30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The detainee has been transferred to police stations and, once the proceedings have been completed, will be brought before the court.
A 20-year-old boy died on Lekeitio's Geese Day after falling off a fence; the celebration was suspended
The young man, who was in the harbor following the test of geese, has fallen from a height of about two metres. Thousands of people have gathered in Lekeitio today and the event was developing normally until the accident.
Nearly 4,000 people have gathered at the Sagardo Eguna in Donostia
They have the opportunity to taste cider from 32 cider shops in Gipuzkoa. They have threatened the day with music from trikitilaris and bertsolaris. One of the most emotional moments has been the act of tribute to Jabier Ansorena and Marian Matas.
September 5th has been declared Local Democratic Memory Day in Irun
The Irun City Council has declared 5 September as Local Democratic Memory Day, with the support of all the political groups of the City Council, which today commemorated all the Iranians who suffered a military coup, war and dictatorship.
The Ertzaintza arrested a man in Urduliz accused of throwing bottles at three people
The attack took place at around 6.20 p.m. near the metro station, where a group of some 200 people had gathered in the vicinity, and the detainee had previously been arrested for similar events.
Three people have been arrested in Gernika on charges of forcing a 14-year-old pregnant girl to marry
An investigation is also under way into a 17-year-old, the alleged father of the child, who has not been located.
Tests on the Mole's underground passage trains begin next week
The infrastructure will be available by Christmas, according to the forecasts of the Basque Government.
The alleged perpetrator of Barakaldo's murder is still at the police station awaiting testimony before the judge
The Ertzaintza continues to investigate, and early hypotheses suggest that "sentimental" may be the cause of the incident.