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. 1999 Aug;1(4):114-120.
doi: 10.4088/pcc.v01n0404.

Zaleplon, A Novel Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotic, Effectively Treats Insomnia in Elderly Patients Without Causing Rebound Effects

Sonia Ancoli-Israel  1 , James K. Walsh, Richard M. Mangano, Masamoto Fujimori
Affiliations

Zaleplon, A Novel Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotic, Effectively Treats Insomnia in Elderly Patients Without Causing Rebound Effects

Sonia Ancoli-Israel et al. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 1999 Aug.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a very common symptom, particularly in the elderly. Thus, all hypnotic medications should be carefully evaluated in the elderly population. Zaleplon, a new nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic with a short elimination half-life (approximately 1 hour), was evaluated in the current study. METHOD: This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled outpatient study evaluated the efficacy and safety of zaleplon, 5 and 10 mg, in elderly patients with insomnia (as defined by DSM-IV); zolpidem, 5 mg, was the active comparator. Sleep was assessed in 549 elderly patients (>/= 65 years old) by using morning questionnaires completed after each of 7 baseline nights during which placebo was given, 14 nights of double-blind treatment, and 7 nights of placebo after discontinuation of active treatment. RESULTS: Zaleplon, 10 mg, and zolpidem, 5 mg, significantly reduced sleep latency during both weeks of the study. Zaleplon, 5 mg, reduced sleep latency only during week 2. Sleep duration was increased with zolpidem, 5 mg, during weeks 1 and 2 and with zaleplon, 10 mg, during week 1. No clinically significant rebound insomnia was observed after discontinuation of treatment with zaleplon, whereas evidence of rebound effects was seen with zolpidem. There was no significant difference between either zaleplon dose and placebo in the frequency of any central nervous system adverse events. CONCLUSION: Zaleplon is effective in reducing latency to sleep without evidence of undesired effects in elderly patients with insomnia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Median Subjective Sleep Latency, in Minutes, for Each Group During Baseline and Treatment Weeks*
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Median Subjective Total Sleep Time, in Minutes, for Each Group During Baseline and Treatment Weeks*
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Percentage of Patients in Each Treatment Group Meeting Study Criteria for Rebound Insomnia on the First Night After Discontinuation of 2 Weeks of Treatment*
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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