Long-term Treatment of Brotizolam and Zopiclone in Elderly Insomniacs
The efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with brotizolam and zopiclone was evaluated in elderly insomniac patients. In 31 patients with a mean age of 74.4 years, brotizolam or zopiclone was administrated for a long-term. The mean treatment period of brotizolam was 2.7 years and of zopiclone was 4.5 years. The mean dosage of brotizolam was 0.31 mg/day and of zopiclone was 9.42 mg/day. All of the patients reported no adverse effects such as ataxia, hyperexcitability, daytime anxiety, agitation and confusion, amnesia, affective disturbance, somnambulism or morning drowsiness. Patients and almost 90% of good hypnotic efficacy, and their daily life were smooth and comfortable. These results suggest that there are no difficulties in long-term treatment of brotizolam and zopiclone for elderly insomniacs.
