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Z Drugs for Insomnia
Hypnotic medication or Z-drugs (Zopiclone and Zolpidem) have been used to relieve the symptoms of sleeplessness, however they do not treat the underlying cause.
NICE guidance recommends that doctors should consider using non-medicine or alternative treatments for sleeplessness.
A key concern when prescribing hypnotics is the development of tolerance to their effects and little benefit from long term consumption. Dependence is an unwanted result of long term use. Withdrawal effects can include anxiety, panic attacks, poor memory and confusion to name a few.
A decision has been made by the medical centre, not to routinely prescribe Hypnotics or Z-drugs for insomnia.
No Z-drugs would be prescribed to any person under 60 years of age in routine for sleep problems unless clinically decided as short term use under special circumstances only.
For those over 60 years of age, it’s on a clinician’s discretion based on individual circumstances.