Pre- and Postoperative Prescription of Opioids and Benzodiazepines in the US.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Postoperative opioid and benzodiazepine use often extends beyond recovery, yet research on surgical prescribing tends to focus on opioid-naive patients. Less is known about those already using these medications preoperatively, who face different risks and care needs.

Study design

Using a national US claims database (PearlDiver, 2010 to 2022), we identified insured adults receiving 1 of 18 common surgeries. We examined patterns of filled prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines before and after surgery, including (1) opioids without benzodiazepines (opioid monotherapy), (2) benzodiazepines without opioids (benzodiazepine monotherapy), (3) exposure to both, and (4) exposure to neither. Preoperative prescriptions were assessed between 6 months and 1 week before

SUBMITTER: Zhao AY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12445594 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature