Triazolam and nitrazepam use in elderly outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine adverse reactions and effects on sleep among three groups of patients: those taking triazolam, those taking nitrazepam, and a control group.


METHODS
Telephone interviews.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients taking triazolam, 36 taking nitrazepam, and 40 control patients. All study participants were outpatients over 60 years of age.


RESULTS
The rate of awakening in the middle of sleep was not significantly different among patients taking triazolam (61.7 percent) and those taking nitrazepam (69.4 percent). Incidence of nocturia, the primary reason for awakening, was not significantly different between triazolam- (36.2 percent) and nitrazepam-taking patients (41.7 percent). The rate of having difficulty falling back to sleep was significantly different among triazolam (62.1 percent) and nitrazepam (8 percent), and triazolam and control (11.1 percent) groups (p < 0.01). No difference was evident, however, between nitrazepam and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients taking nitrazepam have less difficulty returning to sleep compared with those who take triazolam. Thus, for elderly patients who awaken because of nocturia, nitrazepam may be more appropriate therapy.
Takami
N
N
Fukuoka-city Pharmaceutical Association, Japan.
Okada
A
A
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009567:Nitrazepam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D014229:Triazolam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects
D014229:Triazolam; D009567:Nitrazepam