Anxiety Drugs, Sleeping Pills Linked To Risk Of Death
Monday, April 7, 2014 - 05:50
in Health & Medicine
Anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills have been linked to an increased risk of death, according to a large study published in BMJ which shows that several anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) drugs or hypnotic drugs (sleeping pills) are associated with a doubling in the risk of mortality. The findings are based on routine data but need to be interpreted cautiously. The study accounted, where possible, for other factors such as age, smoking and alcohol use, other prescriptions and socioeconomic status. Crucially, the team controlled for contributing risk factors such as sleep disorders, anxiety disorders and other psychiatric illness in all participants. read more