Benzodiazepine and zolpidem prescriptions during autologous stem cell transplantation
Rahul Banerjee,
Ann A. Lazar,
Lisa Dunn,
Jennifer Knoche,
Mimi Lo,
Shagun Arora,
Sandy W. Wong,
Jeffrey L. Wolf,
Thomas G. Martin III,
Anand Dhruva,
Nina Shah
Affiliations
Rahul Banerjee
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Ann A. Lazar
Division of Oral Epidemiology Division of Biostatistics, and Biostatistics Core Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Lisa Dunn
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Jennifer Knoche
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Mimi Lo
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Pharmacy University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Shagun Arora
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Sandy W. Wong
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Jeffrey L. Wolf
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Thomas G. Martin III
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Anand Dhruva
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Nina Shah
Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco California
Abstract Multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) may receive benzodiazepine or zolpidem‐class (B/Z) medications despite their risks in older patients. Of 205 myeloma patients (36% aged 65+) who underwent ASCT at our institution between 2017 and 2018, we found that B/Z prescription rates for anxiety/insomnia rose significantly from 26% before ASCT to 38% at discharge and 39% at Day +100. B/Z initiation while hospitalized was a strong predictor of B/Z persistence at Day +100. Our findings highlight the role of these potentially inappropriate medications during hospitalizations for ASCT, a period where nonpharmacologic strategies for managing anxiety/insomnia may be feasible.
