Benzodiazepines: a descriptive study of prescription patterns in Tabriz, Iran, 2021–2022

Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed medications for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions; they offer therapeutic benefits but also pose risks such as dependence and misuse. This study aimed to analyze the prescribing patterns of benzodiazepines among physicians in Tabriz, Iran, over a one-year period, considering factors such as physician specialty, age, and sex. A descriptive study was conducted using data extracted from the Social Security Organization in Iran. Benzodiazepine prescriptions in Tabriz from March 2021 to March 2022 were analyzed. Prescription data were categorized by physician specialty, age group, and sex. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 2022. A total of 212,858 benzodiazepine prescriptions were issued by 5031 physicians to 142,329 individuals during the study period. Alprazolam was the most frequently prescribed benzodiazepine, followed by chlordiazepoxide and clonazepam. The prescription patterns showed that approximately age 40 was the mode, and the patterns were similar for both sexes. General practitioners accounted for the highest frequency of prescriptions, followed by psychiatrists, internists, and cardiologists. Long-acting benzodiazepines were predominantly prescribed by psychiatrists, who were particularly interested in this topic. The differences in prescribing patterns among medical specialties highlight the nuanced considerations guiding benzodiazepine use in various clinical contexts. While cardiologists and surgeons prioritize short-acting benzodiazepines for perioperative anxiety management, neurologists and psychiatrists demonstrate a predilection for clonazepam, emphasizing familiarity and perceived efficacy based on clinical experience.