Non-essential medicines - for example, sleeping pills like benzodiazepine - are not recommended for seniors as they can conflict with other medications, yet many continue taking them. The molecule above is the core structure of the most common pharmacologically active benzodiazepines. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

The molecule above is the core structure of the most common pharmacologically active benzodiazepines. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

A randomized, controlled trial of 303 seniors from Quebec found that a simple intervention resulted in 27% of them becoming sleeping-pill free. The study emphasizes the importance of seniors being active and able participants in decisions about their health care.

The researchers used a handout describing the risks of sleeping pill use and encouraging the patients to speak with their doctors. Non-essential medicines – for example, sleeping pills like benzodiazepine – are not recommended for seniors as they can conflict with other medications, yet many continue taking them.

Original research paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association – Internal Medicine on April 14, 2014.

Names and affiliations of selected authors

Cara Tannenbaum, Université de Montréal, Quebec