Drug-free strategies for sleepless

NPS chief executive Dr Lynn Weekes said regular exercise, relaxation and avoiding stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks are activities patients can use to help the onset of sleep.

Other strategies include developing a regular bedtime routine, going to bed only when sleepy, avoiding reading or watching television in the bedroom and getting up at the same time each morning.

For those patients who do take Stilnox Dr Weekes advised taking as little as possible for the shortest time possible, and for no longer than four weeks.

NPS also reiterated that patients should not drink alcohol on the same day the drug is taken.

The information was released as part of the NPS Sleeping Medicines Fact Sheet advising of the potential side effects of the drug and encouraging people to discuss these with their doctor or pharmacist.

Last week the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee imposed a boxed warning on the product information documents for medicines containing zolpidem following reports of bizarre and sometimes dangerous sleep-related behaviours such as sleep-walking and sleep-driving in some users of the drug.