by Dr Norman Swan Sleeping pills are commonly prescribed for older people, but any benefit is outweighed by the side effects - unsteadiness, falls and memory problems, researchers say. Despite the bad press about sleeping pills and despite the fact that you naturally tend to sleep less as you age, sleeping pills are still prescribed for older people. The side effects include unsteadiness, falls and memory problems. But presumably there are benefits as well in someone who really needs a night's sleep. Researchers have gathered the available evidence from trials of sleeping sedatives in people over the age of 60, to see where the balance of harms and good might lie. On average sleeping time went up by only 25 minutes and awakenings reduced by about one every two nights. 13 people had to take a sedative for one to have a better night's sleep. The side effects though were troubling. One person in six taking these medications was harmed by them - so the chances of a harm were twice those of a benefit with a four fold risk of daytime sleepiness, a five fold increased risk of memory problems and increased numbers of falls. So if you're over 60, think twice before getting a script for a sleeping pill. For Reference Title: British Medical Journal Author: Glass J et al. Sedative hypnotics in older people with insomnia: meta-analysis of risks and benefits.
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