Don’t routinely prescribe benzodiazepines or other sedative-hypnotics for promotion of sleep without first a trial of non-pharmacologic interventions.

Non-pharmacologic options to treat insomnia, such as sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioural therapy, are less harmful than drugs, and should be first line therapy.

 

Sources:

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Sleep Medications for Adults Diagnosed with Insomnia: Clinical Evidence and Harm. [Internet]. 29 Apr 2013. [Accessed 20 Dec 2018].

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Current Practice Analysis: Interventions for Insomnia Disorder. [Internet]. June 2017. [Accessed 20 Dec 2018].

Fick DM, et al. American Geriatrics Society 2015 Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015 Nov;63(11):2227-2246. PMID:26446832.

Soong C, et al. Less Sedatives for Your Older Relative: A toolkit for reducing inappropriate use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics among older adults in hospitals. [Internet] July 2017. [Accessed 20 Dec 2018].