In their own practices and in consultation, requests to psychiatrists to
evaluate and treat sleep disorders in the elderly are common. The five
million elders in this country receive 35%-40% of the sedative- hypnotics
prescribed, despite the fact that they represent only 12% of the
population. Since their sleep disturbances are usually secondary to
medical, psychiatric, pharmacologic, or environmental causes, they should
receive a thorough evaluation and differential diagnostic approach. Before
prescribing a sedative-hypnotic, one should consider nonpharmacologic
interventions and education about normal sleep changes due to aging. As a
foundation for the judicious prescribing of sedative- hypnotics, the
pharmacokinetic changes associated with aging are discussed.Abstract Teaser