title: An approach to long-term sedative-hypnotic use.
abstract: Insomnia is a common, often chronic medical disorder with significant medical and socioeconomic repercussions. However, unlike other medical conditions, there is intense debate as to whether the long-term treatment of insomnia is clinically appropriate. The perceived deleterious side effect of sedative-hypnotic medications may result in patients remaining untreated or undertreated. This review proposes that a more subtle approach needs to be taken in the management of patients with chronic insomnia and that long-term use of the newer sedative-hypnotics may be a feasible and effective treatment option when used in conjunction with thorough medical assessment and regular patient follow-up. This review discusses these issues and discusses the pros and cons of long-term sedative-hypnotic use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Azmeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phillipson
authors.forename: Colin M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
keywords: hypnotics; insomnia; long-term use