The use of non-prescription sleep products in the elderly

✍ Scribed by Beth A. Sproule; Usoa E. Busto; Carmen Buckle; Nathan Herrmann; Susan Bowles

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 104 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199910)14:10<851::aid-gps33>3.0.co;2-l

✦ Synopsis

While sleep disorders are common in the elderly, the use of non-prescription products for sleep in this population has not been fully evaluated. The objectives of this project were to assess the use, perceived eectiveness and toxicity of non-prescription sleep products in an ambulatory elderly population.

Methods. A self-administered 20-question survey was distributed to seniors, aged 60 years or more, during hospital or pharmacy visits.

Results. Of the total respondents (N 176, mean age 74+7 years, 59% female), 84 (48%) indicated that they had used one or more therapies for sleep within the past year. These included non-prescription products (50% of therapies), prescription products (17%) and non-drug activities such as walking or drinking milk (34%). For those individuals who had used a non-prescription product in the past year (N 47, 27% of total respondents), the most frequently used products were: dimenhydrinate (21%), acetaminophen (19%), diphenhydramine (15%), alcohol (13%) and herbal products (11%). Most took them at least 1 day per week (79%) and 32% took them daily. These products subjectively improved sleep latency (mean 32 vs 61 minutes, p 5 0.001), number of nocturnal awakenings (mean 2 vs 3 awakenings, p 5 0.001) and total hours of sleep (mean 6.6 vs 5.4 hours, p 5 0.001). Mild side-eects were reported by 35 respondents (75%), the most common being dry mouth (N 22) and daytime drowsiness (N 13). Respondents were taking an average of four (SD+3, range 0±10) other medications currently.

Conclusions. Non-prescription products are widely used by this population of ambulatory elderly for sleep disturbances. Most of the products were not marketed for sleep; however, they were perceived to be ecacious with low toxicity. The potential for drug interaction is high. Further research is warranted to evaluate the safety and eectiveness of non-prescription sleep products in the elderly.