Short-term Zolpidem Dose Might Proof an Effective Treatment for Insomnia

Posted on January 3, 2008 in Latest News

A study conducted recently at Duke University reports that a short term dose of zolpidem extended-release 12.5 mg (a drug) can significantly treat insomnia. The researchers say that if the drug is taken for 3 to 7 nights in a week for up to six months, it will potentially improve sleep onsets and maintenance with improved next-day concentration and daytime sleepiness in people with insomnia.

The researchers studied 1,018 patients aged between 18 to 64 years with chronic primary insomnia who had difficulty in maintaining their sleep or going through un-restored sleep for more than three months. The patients took either a single dose of zolpidem or a placebo for 3 to 7 nights per week.

Result of the study:

The lead author of the study D. Krystal, MD of Duke University said that: “Approximately 10 percent of the population suffers from chronic insomnia. These individuals are most commonly treated with medications in clinical practice, though for many years we lacked data on the long-term medication management of insomnia. However, recent studies document the efficacy and safety of nightly treatment with some insomnia agents for periods of up to one year. As the duration of treatment increases, the costs and risks of adverse effects associated with taking a medication nightly become increasingly important considerations.

Adding to the above statement he said: “For the chronic insomnia patients who have waxing and waning symptom severity, it may be possible to decrease the costs and risks by employing non-nightly medication dosing. Consistent with this model, nearly half of insomnia patients take their medications on an ‘as needed’ basis. Existing studies document the risk-benefit profile of this practice with the insomnia medication zolpidem 10 mg for periods up to three months.”

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