Practical advice on insomnia for patients - Treatment Notes

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 12 Apr 2005 - 14:00 PST

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UK - People suffering from insomnia should try to tackle the problem and avoid taking sleeping tablets if possible, according to the latest Treatment Notes, published by Which? today.

Up to one in seven adults regularly suffers from insomnia and many rely on hypnotic drugs as a solution. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin information advises that sleeping tablets do not work well in the long run and can cause problems, including next-day hangover effects and dependence.

Despite the risks, 10 million prescriptions for hypnotics (mostly benzodiazepines and so-called 'Z-drugs') are prescribed each year in England.

Around 80 per cent of prescriptions are for people aged 65 or over. Older people are especially vulnerable to side effects- they may experience memory problems and confusion, which can be mistaken for dementia or become unsteady, leading to falls and fractures.

Treatment Notes helps patients identify lifestyle and medical causes of insomnia and offers practical tips for getting better sleep without tablets. It also highlights non-drug treatments that have proven effective for insomnia, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and advises patients with persist insomnia persists to consult their GP.

For those who are already dependent on sleeping tablets, Treatment Notes explains how to come off these medicines gradually. It stresses that even long-time users of sleeping tablets can withdraw safely and relatively easily, with professional supervision.

Emily Hayes, editor, Treatment Notes, says:

"Millions of prescriptions for hypnotics are dispensed each year. This carries many risks for patients, including dependence and accidents. Research shows that with support, ideally from a health professional, many people can stop taking sleeping tablets relatively easily."

For more information on how to order copies of Treatment Notes for patients, see http://www.dtb.org.uk/dtb/tnotes, call 0845 983 0082 or email dtb@which.co.uk.

For more information, UK users can view and download Trouble Sleeping?, as well as other leaflets in the Treatment Notes series, free of charge at nelh.nhs.uk/treatmentnotes/default.asp

The quote of 1 in 7 (up to 15% of the population) comes from Ohayon MM. Epidemiology of insomnia: what we know and what we still need to learn. Sleep Med Rev 2002;97-111.

This issue of Treatment Notes is part of a series produced by Which?. It is based on matching information in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB). Which? is independent of the medical establishment, the pharmaceutical industry and government.

Treatment Notes has been recognised for the last five consecutive years in patient information awards held by the British Medical Association (BMA). In 2004, two titles, Should children have MMR? and Steroid treatments for eczema were highly commended by judges.

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