@article {Siriwardena:1 June 2008:0960-1643:417,
	author = "Siriwardena, A Niroshan",
	author = "Qureshi, M Zubair",
	author = "Dyas, Jane V",
	author = "Middleton, Hugh",
	author = "Orner, Roderick",
	title = "Magic bullets for insomnia? Patients' use and experiences of newer (Z drugs) versus older (benzodiazepine) hypnotics for sleep problems in primary care",
	journal = "British Journal of General Practice",
	volume = "58",
	year = "1 June 2008",
	abstract = "<B>Background</B> <P></P>Little is known about patients' perceptions of newer hypnotics. <P></P><B>Aim</B> <P></P>To investigate use, experience, and perceptions of Z drug and benzodiazepine hypnotics in the community. <P></P><B>Design of study</B> <P></P>Cross-sectional survey of general practice patients who had received at least one prescription for a Z drug or benzodiazepine in the previous 6 months. <P></P><B>Setting</B> <P></P>Lincolnshire, UK. <P></P><B>Method</B> <P></P>Self-administered postal questionnaire. <P></P><B>Results</B> <P></P>Of 1600 surveys posted, 935 (58.4%) responses were received, of which 705 (75.4%) were from patients taking drugs for insomnia. Of those 705 patients, 87.9% (<I>n</I> = 620) were first prescribed a hypnotic by their GP, and 94.9% (<I>n</I> = 669) had taken a sleeping tablet for 4 weeks or more. At least one side effect was reported in 41.8% (<I>n</I> = 295); 18.6% wished to come off hypnotic medication; and 48.5% had tried to stop treatment. Patients on Z drugs were more likely to express a wish to stop (22.7% versus 12.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13 to 2.49), or to have attempted to come off medication, than those on benzodiazepines (52.4% versus 41.0%; OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.12). The two groups did not differ significantly in respect of benefits or adverse effects. <P></P><B>Conclusion</B> <P></P>There were no significant differences in patients' perceptions of efficacy or side-effects reported by those on Z drugs compared to patients taking benzodiazepines. Side-effects were commonly reported, which may have contributed to a high proportion of responders, particularly patients on Z drugs who were wishing to stop, or who had previously tried to stop taking this medication. Reported prescribing practices were often at variance with the licence for short-term use.",
	pages = "417-422(6)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/rcgp/bjgp/2008/00000058/00000551/art00009"
	doi = "doi:10.3399/bjgp08X299290"
}