Treatment of Insomnia in Older Adults: Re-Evaluating the Benefits and Risks of Sedative Hypnotic Agents

Insomnia and sleep complaints are common among older adults. Although once considered safer than benzodiazepine drugs, recent data on non-benzodiazepine drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien(®)), have revealed similar negative effects. This issue, as well as others, has been included in the recent updated 2012 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. This article describes the risks and benefits associated with sedative hypnotic agents in older adults and discusses the conundrum facing practitioners as well as patients.