Recent data from IQVIA reveals that last year, one in five Belgians received prescriptions for benzodiazepines, addictive sleeping pills, and tranquilizers.

This marks a decrease over the past four years, yet the use remains substantial, as reported by De Standaard on Monday.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Temesta are prescribed to induce relaxation or sleep, but they come with side effects such as dizziness, memory problems, and reduced alertness. Their addictive nature leads to tolerance development within weeks, complicating withdrawal.

Decline in Usage

In 2023, approximately 385 million units of benzodiazepines were sold, a 15.3% decrease from 2019's 455 million units. The number of users also dropped from 2.6 million in 2019 to 2.1 million last year, marking a 17.4% reduction.

"However, Belgium continues to lead Europe in benzo usage," noted Ellen Van Leeuwen, a general practitioner and psychotropic drug researcher at UGent. "While the decline is promising, sustained long-term usage remains stable. This underscores the ongoing challenge of reducing psychotropic drug dependence. Progress is evident, but continuous efforts are crucial."

Demographics

The primary users in Belgium are individuals aged 75 and older, although the number of minors (15 years and younger) using prescription sleep aids has halved. IQVIA attributes this decline primarily to fewer new patients being prescribed benzodiazepines, a trend noticeable since 2019.

To address these issues, a government pilot project launched early last year aims to phase out benzo usage. This initiative involves pharmacists and doctors gradually reducing doses over a period ranging from 50 to 360 days, benefiting nearly 5,000 participants currently enrolled in the program. Photo byMarkus Würfel, Wikimedia commons.