[Benzodiazepine-like hypnotics--attitudes and prescription practice among general practitioners].
BACKGROUND
The large increase in sales of the benzodiazepine-like hypnotics (z-hypnotics) zopiclone and zolpidem over the last decade prompted an investigation into Norwegian general practitioners' prescription habits, knowledge of and attitudes to these drugs.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to all 928 registered GPs in six Norwegian counties. The physicians were asked to assess statements, patient vignettes and drug preferences with regard to z-hypnotic and benzodiazepine prescription practice. The responders were anonymized and grouped with respect to gender, county, years of professional experience, knowledge and attitudes.


RESULTS
A total of 321 (36%) of the GPs responded. Among the respondents, physicians with adequate knowledge about clinical use of and restrictive prescription attitudes towards z-hypnotics and benzodiazepines prescribed these drugs with a lower frequency. Prescription rates did not vary as a function of sex, geographical localization, work experience or knowledge about drug pharmacodynamics. A total of 56% of the respondents preferred zopiclone to zolpidem, whereas 8% preferred zolpidem. Many of the factors, which were used to justify the preferences, were irrelevant or erroneous.


CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed a lack of factual knowledge about these drugs, and may suggest that a rational prescription practice is restrictive.
Bachmann
Christine Strand
CS
Institutt for laboratoriemedisin, barne- og kvinnesykdommer, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet.
Berg
Erik Andreas
EA
Spigset
Olav
O
Slørdal
Lars
L
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000077334:Zolpidem
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; C515050:zopiclone; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077334:Zolpidem