title: Midazolam in the treatment of sleep disorders in geriatric patients.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam; D008875:Middle Aged; D012631:Secobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001463:Barbiturates; D004338:Drug Combinations; C013332:brallobarbital, hydroxyzine, secobarbital drug combination; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D012631:Secobarbital; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D008874:Midazolam