Premium
Managing Insomnia in Older People
Author(s) -
Woodward Michael C
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2007.tb00754.x
Subject(s) - zopiclone , medicine , insomnia , health professionals , older people , psychiatry , adverse effect , zolpidem , benzodiazepine , health care , intensive care medicine , gerontology , pharmacology , receptor , economics , economic growth
Although insomnia is a common problem in older people, there have been few therapeutic advances in the last decade. Benzodiazepines continue to be overused and the newer benzodiazepine‐like drugs (e.g. zopiclone) are proving to be no more effective and have their own risk of adverse effects. Non‐pharmacological management remains the preferred option, but is poorly taught and infrequently adhered to, especially in hospital and residential care settings. Older people themselves often request drugs. Progress towards improved management of insomnia will require a significant shift in knowledge and attitudes in both health professionals and the community.