Reducing benzodiazepine use in older adults through pharmacist-led intervention
Feasibility of a Benzodiazepine Deprescribing Intervention in Older Adults Living in the Belgian Community Setting
This study tests if a program led by pharmacists can help older adults in Belgium reduce their use of benzodiazepines and z-drugs by providing education and support to both patients and doctors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Université Catholique de Louvain Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) |
| Trial ID | NCT05929417 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This feasibility study evaluates a pharmacist-led intervention aimed at reducing the use of benzodiazepines and z-drugs among older adults in Belgian communities. The intervention involves providing educational materials to patients and facilitating communication between pharmacists and general practitioners to support deprescribing efforts. Researchers will assess the adherence of pharmacists to the intervention, the acceptance by patients and doctors, and the overall feasibility of the recruitment and data collection processes. The study compares this intervention to usual care to gather preliminary data on its effectiveness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are older adults aged 65 years and above who have been taking benzodiazepines for at least four weeks.
Not a fit: Patients with severe mental illness, dementia, significant cognitive impairment, or those unable to communicate in French may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to safer medication practices and improved health outcomes for older adults by reducing reliance on benzodiazepines.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with pharmacist-led interventions for medication management, indicating potential for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * being aged ≥65 years, * taking a benzodiazepine receptor agonist for ≥4 weeks (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes: N05BA, N05CD, N05CF and N03AE01) * being a regular patient of the community pharmacy (defined as ≥ 4 visits/12 previous months). Exclusion Criteria: * Severe mental illness (assessed through having an active prescription of any antipsychotic medication). * Dementia or significant cognitive impairment (assessed through an active prescription or any past prescription during the last 12 months of anticholinesterase inhibitors or memantine) and/or pharmacist's judgment). * Patients unable to read or communicate in French. * Ongoing benzodiazepine receptor agonist withdrawal at the time of recruitment. * Known current alcohol withdrawal.
Where this trial is running
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
- UCLouvain — Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anne Spinewine, PhD — UCLouvain, Louvain Drug Research Institute/Clinical pharmacy research group
- Study coordinator: Catherine Pétein, RN, MPH
- Email: catherine.petein@uclouvain.be
- Phone: +3227647236
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.