What happens when doctors stop prescribing temazepam? Use of alternative therapies.

Author(s): Gilhooly TC, Webster MG, Poole NW, Ross S

Affiliation(s): Parkhead Health Centre, Glasgow.

Publication date & source: 1998-09, Br J Gen Pract., 48(434):1601-2.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

We investigated the withdrawal of temazepam in a single general practice using two alternative prescribing policies: an alternative benzodiazepine; or an alternative group of drugs recommended for short-term management of insomnia, including sedative antihistamines and chloral hydrate. The study showed that temazepam prescribing in general practice can be reduced or stopped by using a simple intervention. An alternative benzodiazepine is useful in helping patients to stop their use of hypnotic agents. The use of antihistamines as substitute hypnotics is not advocated on the basis of our findings.