Midazolam in the treatment of sleep disorders in geriatric patients

The use of hypnotics in the elderly must be approached with special care in view of possible changes in pharmacokinetic behaviour and drug interactions in older patients. In a randomized, double-blind study in a large geriatric department, midazolam was compared with the barbiturate combination Vesparax with regard to efficacy and safety. The comparison of the efficacy of the 2 hypnotics showed them to be almost identical in this respect. Side-effects, however, were more frequent with Vesparax. Furthermore, in the Vesparax group, unlike in the midazolam group, a troublesome cumulation of effect was observed, together with relatively frequent signs of hangover. It is concluded that, in appropriately titrated dosage, midazolam is an effective and well-tolerated hypnotic for use in the elderly.