title: Managing sleep problems using non-prescription medications and the role of community pharmacists: older adults' perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine older adults' perspectives regarding managing sleep problems through selection and use of non-prescription sleep aids, and the role of pharmacists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Telephone interviews were conducted from May to June 2015 with 116 individuals aged ≥60 years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Participants reported in a previous survey to have used at least one non-prescription sleep aid in the past 30 days and were willing to participate in a follow-up interview. Interview guides were designed to elicit perspectives of sleep problems, selection and use of non-prescription sleep aids, and consultation with healthcare professionals. Interview transcripts underwent content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes emerged as follows: experiences with sleep problems, selection of non-prescription sleep aids, non-prescription sleep aid use and interactions with healthcare professionals. Over half of participants reported using a non-prescription sleep aid for >1 year, were satisfied with its use and perceived it improved sleep quality. Participants commonly used an antihistamine-only sleep aid; 36% of participants self-recommended their sleep aid; and 16% of participants consulted healthcare professionals. Few participants read medication dosage labels (22%), side effects or warnings (19%), and many reported they disregarded directions. Participants did not typically consult pharmacists about sleep problems (65%) but perceived that they could assist with medication concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although most participants had favourable perceptions of non-prescription sleep aids, older adults may be inappropriately using non-prescription sleep aids to self-manage sleep problems by frequently disregarding medication labels and directions for safe use. Also, few older adults are discussing their sleep aid selection and use with pharmacists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Olufunmilola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Loren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Schleiden
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Brothers
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004348:Drug Labeling; D020920:Dyssomnias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs
keywords: community pharmacists; decision-making; over-the-counter medications; self-treatment; sleep health