Question
- What is the clinical effectiveness of the treatment of older adults with insomnia, agitation, or delirium with benzodiazepines or other sedative hypnotic agents?
- What are the evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of older adults with insomnia, agitation, or delirium with benzodiazepines or other sedative hypnotic agents?
Key Message
In older adults, low dose doxepin (up to 6 mg daily) appears to be more effective than placebo for the short-term treatment of insomnia. The short-term incidence of adverse effects with doxepin and placebo appears to be similar; however no conclusions can be drawn due to limitations in the evidence available. No studies or evidence-based guidelines were identified on the use of benzodiazepines or other sedative hypnotics in older adults.
Tags
aged, benzodiazepines, confusion, delirium, elderly, geriatrics, hypnotics and sedatives, long-term care, mental health, nervous system, psychomotor agitation, sleep disorders, sleep initiation and maintenance disorders, sleeplessness, 80 and over, Senior, Seniors, agitated, sleep disorder, sleep dysfunction