Amid rising concern over long-term use and side effects, France has launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with commonly prescribed anti-anxiety and sleep medications such as Xanax, Lexomil, and Temesta.
France’s National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has launched an awareness campaign to highlight the hidden dangers of benzodiazepines – a class of drugs that includes common medications such as Xanax, Lexomil, and Temesta, which are frequently prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders.
While these drugs are widely used across France, many patients are unaware of the serious risks linked to prolonged use, including dependence, cognitive impairment and increased risk of accidents.
With more than 9 million people in France taking these medications in 2023 – including related drugs such as zopiclone and zolpidem (marketed as Imovane and Stilnox) – the ANSM is urging caution.
Around three-quarters of prescriptions come from GPs, and while the drugs can be helpful, the agency warns that they should be used sparingly and only for short periods.
In their social media campaign, the ANSM says: “Anxiety medications are for a short time. Insomnia medications are for a few nights!”
Side effects
On average, 34 pills per person are consumed annually in France, compared to just five to seven in the United Kingdom or Germany.
(With newswires)
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