[Benzodiazepines: prescription study in a primary health care unit].

PURPOSE

The objective of this survey was to study the prescription rate of benzodiazepinics in a Primary Health Care Unit, in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil.

METHOD

Every consultation during a 12 month period was recorded, including the prescription of drugs. In order to analyze the prescription of benzodiazepinics we considered only the 3,368 consultations of patients above 25 years.

RESULTS

Patients whose age ranged from 45-64 years experienced the highest prescription rates, benzodiazepinics being the third most prescribed drug for males and the fourth for females.

CONCLUSION

The results show that benzodiazepinics are among the most prescribed drugs.