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Older Adults Still Use Benzodiazepines and Aspirin Despite Guidelines

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 4:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. researchers report many older adults keep using benzodiazepines and aspirin despite safety guidelines.
Benzodiazepine prescriptions for adults 65+ fell to 11.5% in 2024, down from 14% in 2015.
One-third of benzodiazepine users took the drugs six months, raising dependence risk.
Aspirin use for primary prevention fell from 2011 to 2023, yet over one-third of adults 70+ still take it.

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Story summary

U.S. researchers report many older adults keep using benzodiazepines and aspirin despite safety guidelines.
Benzodiazepine prescriptions for adults 65+ fell to 11.5% in 2024, down from 14% in 2015.
One-third of benzodiazepine users took the drugs six months, raising dependence risk.
Aspirin use for primary prevention fell from 2011 to 2023, yet over one-third of adults 70+ still take it.