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1: Med J Aust. 1995 Jun 5;162(11):603-7.Links

Sleep problems.

Flamer HE.

Monash University Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.

Sleep complaints are common in the elderly, and are often related to physiological changes with ageing, or secondary to illness and drug therapy. Primary sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea and movement disorders, are also common. Management should be specific to the problem. Attention to underlying factors and sleep hygiene, as well as reassurance and education about age-related sleep changes, will often be sufficient. Hypnotics, which usually offer only temporary symptomatic relief, may be counterproductive, and should be prescribed only in the short term, except in limited specific cases. Short-acting benzodiazepines (e.g., temazepam or oxazepam), or possibly zopiclone, are currently the drugs of choice.

PMID: 7791648 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Patient Drug Information

  • Oxazepam (Serax® )

    Oxazepam is used to relieve anxiety. It also is used to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.

  • Temazepam (Restoril® )

    Temazepam is used on a short-term basis to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Temazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow s...

  • Zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien, Sonata, ...)

    How do the newer insomnia drugs compare in effectiveness?

  • Source: AHFS Consumer Medication Information

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