Sleep disorders

Benzodiazepines, including estazolam, flurazepam, and triazolam, have been widely used in primary insomnia and for the management of certain other sleep disorders. Lower doses should be used in elderly patients who are more sensitive to their CNS depressant effects. More recently there has been increasing use of zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone in insomnia, since they have rapid onset with minimal effects on sleep patterns and cause less daytime cognitive impairment than benzodiazepines. Note that sedativehypnotic drugs are not recommended for breathing-related sleep disorders, eg, sleep apnea.