The use of hypnotics in general practice

Abstract

Questionnaires were sent to 3603 general practitioners, asking them to range the pharmacoLogic characteristics of sleeping medicine by clinical priorities. We received 948 replies (26%). The characteristics “no development of tolerance or dependency” and “low toxicity” were given the highest priority. However, most prescribed hypnotics at present comprise medications that carry a risk of exactly these adverse events (nitrazepam and flunitrazepam). The reason for this discrepancy may be that the patient wishes to receive a certain product or that the physician has little knowledge of the pharmacologic properties of the different hypnotic drugs. The treatment of insomnia and the pharmacology of hypnotic drugs should receive higher priority in the pre- and post-graduate medical curriculum.