biostudies-literatureUnknown42(2)Gonzalez-Chica D<h4>Introduction</h4>We aimed to explore trends and sociodemographic patterns in benzodiazepine (BZD) (by half-life) and Z-drugs prescribing in Australian general practice.<h4>Methods</h4>This open cohort study used de-identified electronic health records of 1.4 million patients (50,812,413 consultations) from 402 Australian practices (MedicineInsight 2011-2018). Annual prescribing frequency and changes over time were estimated according to sex, age, socioeconomic position and rurality.<h4>Results</h4>Between 2011 and 2018, the prescribing of very short-acting BZD increased from 0.10 to 0.29 per 1000 consultations (average annual change +17.2% [95% CI 9.6; 25.3]), while it declined for short-intermediate (from 38.5 to 26.6 per 1000 consultations; annual change -5.1% [95% CI -5.6; -4.5]), lDrug and alcohol review427-438https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10092554biostudies-literatureTrends and patterns of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs prescriptions in Australian general practice: A national study (2011-2018).PMC10092554Bernardo CSweetman AGonzalez-Chica DHoon EStocks NBegum MfalseTrends and patterns of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs prescriptions in Australian general practice: A national study (2011-2018).<h4>Introduction</h4>We aimed to explore trends and sociodemographic patterns in benzodiazepine (BZD) (by half-life) and Z-drugs prescribing in Australian general practice.<h4>Methods</h4>This open cohort study used de-identified electronic health records of 1.4 million patients (50,812,413 consultations) from 402 Australian practices (MedicineInsight 2011-2018). Annual prescribing frequency and changes over time were estimated according to sex, age, socioeconomic position and rurality.<h4>Results</h4>Between 2011 and 2018, the prescribing of very short-acting BZD increased from 0.10 to 0.29 per 1000 consultations (average annual change +17.2% [95% CI 9.6; 25.3]), while it declined for short-intermediate (from 38.5 to 26.6 per 1000 consultations; annual change -5.1% [95% CI -5.6; -4.5]), l2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-20T02:23:00.016Z2025-04-20T02:23:00.016ZS-EPMC100925543621726110.1111/dar.13561