{"id":3223,"date":"2026-10-14T12:41:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T16:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/injurycenter.umich.edu\/safer-prescribing-toolkit\/?page_id=3223"},"modified":"2026-10-14T16:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T20:37:35","slug":"benzodiazepine-tapering-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/injurycenter.umich.edu\/safer-prescribing-toolkit\/benzodiazepine-tapering-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"Benzodiazepine Tapering Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Benzodiazepine Tapering Guidelines<\/h1>\n\n
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Benzodiazepine tapers should be carefully scheduled with regular check-ins with patients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Benzodiazepines should never be stopped abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening, including inducing seizures; tapering is always the best method.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Tapering is recommended when a patient has been taking benzodiazepines for more than 4 weeks and more than 3 days per week.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Generally, taper 5 to 10% every 2\u20134 weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tapering looks different for every patient. It\u2019s important to check in frequently with your patient to determine how they are feeling and adjust the dose as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nASAM Guidelines<\/a>\n\n\n

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Tapering should be supported with ongoing management of the primary disorder and use of available non-pharmacological approaches (e.g. CBT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n