Which short-acting benzodiazepine is safest to use for anxiety in the elderly population?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lorazepam (Ativan) is the preferred short-acting benzodiazepine for anxiety in the elderly population due to its shorter half-life and lower risk of accumulation compared to other drugs in the same class. Diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) have longer half-lives and are more likely to cause side effects such as drowsiness and confusion, particularly in elderly patients. Clorazepate (Tranxene) can also accumulate with chronic use and has a longer half-life, making it a less optimal choice for this population.

Which Short-Acting Benzodiazepine Is Safest to Use for Anxiety in the Elderly