Study, Jun. 2015: Concurrent use of benzos & antidepressants increase MVA risk

The full title of this Canadian study is "Concurrent Use of Benzodiazepines and Antidepressants and the Risk of Motor Vehicle Accident in Older Drivers: A Nested Case-Control Study."

 

"CONCLUSION:"

 

"Use of long-acting benzodiazepines is associated with an increased risk of MVA in the elderly, particularly in those concurrently using SSRIs or TCAs."

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26847674

 

 

 

 

And makes a point that there are more accidents in the long-acting vs short-acting benzodiazepine users.  Probably because the short-acting ones are more likely to be on the end of their duration of action so more alert, do you suppose?

Yes, and the long-acting benzos can have a cumulative effect. So, over time, the effects would be worse -- especially in seniors who, by definition, metabolize drugs more slowly than their younger counterparts.