Via practica 6/2015

Insomnia and specificity of its pharmacotherapy in elderly

Sleep disturbances belong to frequent disorders in elderly and geriatric patients. It is connected with high prevalence of depression, frequent somatic problems, polymorbidity, inadequate physical activity as well as often excessive take of medical drugs (polypharmacy). In the therapy of insomnia various cognitive-behavioral procedures are used, followed by pharmacotherapy when not only hypnotics but also drugs from other pharmacological group are employed.

Keywords: elderly patients, chronic insomnia, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management.