Changing Patterns of Psychotropic Drug use in the Elderly: A Five-Year Update

Abstract

Psychotropic drug use was evaluated in 2022 ambulatory elderly subjects in 1978-80 and again in 1984-86. Use of hypnotic drugs declined from 8.5 percent (n = 3234) in 1978-80 to 6.3 percent (n = 2681) in 1984-86 (p<0.01). Use of the long-acting hypnotic flurazepam decreased (p <0.01) and use of two short-acting drugs, triazolam and temazepam, increased. Prescribing of long half-life benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (p<0.01) and chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, halazepam, and prazepam as a group (p <0.01) decreased as well as the use of nearly all products containing barbiturates (p<0.01).