title: Changing patterns of psychotropic drug use in the elderly: a five-year update.
abstract: Psychotropic drug use was evaluated in 2022 ambulatory elderly subjects in 1978-80 and again in 1984-86. Use of hypnotic drugs declined from 8.5 percent (n = 3234) in 1978-80 to 6.3 percent (n = 2681) in 1984-86 (p less than 0.01). Use of the long-acting hypnotic flurazepam decreased (p less than 0.01) and use of two short-acting drugs, triazolam and temazepam, increased. Prescribing of long half-life benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (p less than 0.01) and chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, halazepam, and prazepam as a group (p less than 0.01) decreased as well as the use of nearly all products containing barbiturates (p less than 0.01).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008134:Long-Term Care; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs