Benzodiazepines are prescription medicines that are also called sleeping pills or anti-anxiety medicines. There are well-recognised harms from taking benzodiazepines long term. These include dependence, drowsiness, dizziness and falls.
Podcast – Benzodiazepines: Keep calm and prescribe responsibly
Podcast host Lynn Weekes discusses the risks of taking benzodiazepines long term, and how gradual dose tapering can be carefully and safely achieved in the primary care setting.
Tools to help improve sleep
Benzodiazepine medicines can cause dependence. Find out ways to help you improve your sleep.
- Sleep hygiene: Tips for better sleep – coming soon
Tools to help with anxiety
Benzodiazepine medicines can cause dependence. Learn about tools to help manage your anxiety.
I need support
- Reconnexion supports you to better understand your benzodiazepines, and manage withdrawal, poor sleep and anxiety. Available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Phone: 1300 273 266 or [email protected] - Beyond Blue provides 24/7 phone line support to help you deal with depression and anxiety.
Phone: 1300 22 4636 - Lifeline offers a 24/7 crisis support line for those feeling low, sad, or generally overwhelmed.
Phone: 13 11 14
Text: 0477 13 11 14
Information about benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepine medicines can cause dependence. Learn more about these medicines.
- Benzodiazepines (what they are and how they work) – coming soon
Thinking about stopping?
- Fact sheet: Lowering your benzodiazepine dose
- Are your sleeping pills really helping? – coming soon
- What can help with benzodiazepine withdrawal? –coming soon