Various adverse events resulting from, or associated with, benzodiazepine and/or Z-drug use have been extensively reported on and discussed in great detail within the biomedical literature. It is widely accepted that motor vehicle accidents and falls leading to fractures in older adults are major adverse events that have been shown to occur more frequently in users of sedative-hypnotic medication, especially of the benzodiazepine and related Z-drug variety. However, the last few years have seen increasing reports in the literature raising the issue of benzodiazepine and Z-drug exposure in the development of other serious medical issues including dementia, infections, respiratory disease exacerbation, pancreatitis, and cancer. This article provides an overview and interpretation on the current state of evidence regarding each of these associations and proposes what gaps in the evidence for drug-exposure–harm associations need to be addressed in the future for the purpose of evaluating causality of harm as it relates to these drugs.

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Objective: To examine the trends in antiepileptic drug (AED) use among individuals living in Manitoba with and without a history of epilepsy.Methods: Using data obtained from administrative health databases in Manitoba, we assessed the quarterly prevalence of AED use between 1998 and 2013 among individuals with and without a history of epilepsy using cross-sectional time series analysis.

The ability to rapidly screen patients for the presence of S. aureus producing sea may serve as a useful marker of a potential MS exacerbation.

The evidence for antidepressants in the treatment of depression in patients with dementia is inconclusive. The accumulation of evidence suggests nonpharmacologic approaches and watchful waiting be attempted for the first 8 to 12 weeks in a patient who presents with both mild-to-moderate depression and dementia. In cases of severe depression, or depression not managed through nonpharmacologic means, a trial of an antidepressant may be initiated. However, further well-designed trials are needed to support these recommendations.

Findings from this study demonstrated a need for improved systems for managing patients at risk for medication misuse, diversion, and overdose. Strategies that warrant further attention for limiting the means of medication misuse include increased access to electronic medical records and providing additional continuing education support for community pharmacists.

The use of psychotropic agents increased over 12 years. The safety of continuing versus discontinuing these agents during pregnancy remains uncertain, but we observed a decrease in psychotropic drug use during the pregnancy period.

Background: Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection represents a major clinical challenge. Treatment is often based on empiric selection from relatively few options supported by limited clinical evidence.