Half of veterans who died from opioid overdoses also received benzos

Nearly half of all veterans who died from drug overdoses while prescribed opioids for pain were also receiving benzodiazepines, or benzos, which are common medications for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and alcohol withdrawal, a study concludes. Veterans prescribed higher doses of benzodiazepines while concurrently receiving opioids were at greater risk of overdose death than those on lower doses of benzodiazepines.

from Today's Healthcare News -- ScienceDaily http://ift.tt/1FP0Hi9