Introduction:

To review the scientific evidence on the consequences of self-medication with benzodiazepines (BZD) in adults.

Method:

Exploratory review of the articles retrieved from the bibliographic databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science until October 2020. The search query was formulated using the descriptors "Self Medication" and "Benzodiazepines", also using the related Entry Terms and filters: «Humans» and «Adult: 19+years». The quality of the articles was evaluated using the STROBE questionnaire.

Results:

From the 388 references retrieved, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were selected. Once the articles were evaluated by means of the STROBE questionnaire for this review the scores ranged from a minimum of 8.7 to a maximum of 17.7, with median equal to 14.3. Self-medication was studied in 8 articles; overuse was researched in 2 of them; 2 other articles' aim was to examine self-medication or overuse with the purpose of treating emotions, stress or, directly, using them as drug. Other observed outcomes were overdosage, in addition to their previous and subsequent consumption to joining the methadone program.

Conclusions:

The revised articles have documented a high prevalence of self-medication and self-manipulation of BZD. It is essential to know the use pattern of each population branch in order to establish measures which guarantee both suitable prescription and rational use. By improving pharmaceutical care in the process of dispensing BZD (warning of the effects of chronic treatment and the exclusivity of prescriptions) and pharmaceutical validation (detection of unsuitable prescriptions) BZD self-medication and its derived consequences could be actively prevented.

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