Trends in the pharmacologic treatment of insomnia

Data from the National Disease and Therapeutic Index for the time period 1987-1991 (IMS, America) were examined for recent trends in the pharmacologic treatment of insomnia. All medications given with the desired action of promoting sleep or sedation at night were categorized as benzodiazepine hypnotics, benzodiazepine nonhypnotics, antidepressants, or other. From 1987 to 1991, the following trends were found: (1) overall pharmacologic treatment for insomnia decreased by approximately 10%, (2) use of benzodiazepine hypnotics fell about 30% during this time period, (3) use of antidepressants for insomnia increased by 100%, and (4) the noted changes were somewhat stronger for institutionalized patients than for ambulatory patients. These changes in the pharmacologic treatment of insomnia may be related to widespread media attention and are not supported by scientific data.