Why this study matters

Patients with schizophrenia are known to benefit from combination anti-psychotic + benzodiazepine therapy during acute exacerbations or psychotic relapses; however, the chronic use of combination anti-psychotic + benzodiazepine therapy is controversial.

Short-term benzodiazepine use improves clinical outcomes and reduces the side effect burden of long-term benzodiazepine use.

Study design

Patients with schizophrenia attending psychiatry clinics who were prescribed short- and long-term benzodiazepines were followed for 24 months.

Results and conclusion

Patients with schizophrenia who were prescribed short-term benzodiazepines had fewer psychiatric hospitalizations, shorter lengths of hospital stay, a lower anti-psychotic medication discontinuation rate, and fewer suicidal behaviors.