0417 Self-reported Sleep during Discontinuation of Chronic Hypnotic Use

Abstract Introduction Inability to discontinue chronic hypnotic use by people with insomnia remains a clinical concern. Self-reported sleep in an on-going “blinded” clinical trial in which people with insomnia are instructed to discontinue their study medication after 6 months of nightly use was examined. Methods DSM-V diagnosed people with insomnia (n=17, 15 females), aged 26–53 yrs, with a polysomnographic sleep efficiency of ≤85%, no other sleep disorders, unstable medical or psychiatric diseases or drug dependency completed the clinical trial. On a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) 7 had average latencies ≥12min and 10 had latencies of 11-5mins. Participants were randomized to zolpidem XR (12.5 mg), eszopiclone (3 mg) or placebo nightly for 6 months (blinded groups A: n=6, B: n=4, C: n=7). After 6 months, over a 2-week choice period, they were given the instruction to discontinue their nightly hypnotic use with an opportunity, if necessary, to self-administer either 1, 2, or 3 capsules of their assigned medication (zolpidem XR 6.25 mg, 6.25 mg, placebo; eszopiclone 2 mg, 1 mg, placebo as capsules 1, 2 and 3 respectively; or 3 placebos). Results 9 subjects stopped taking study medication when told to discontinue. 8 subjects who took study medication (users), had longer sleep latency (LAT) than non-users on nights that they did not take study medication (39.7mins vs. 21.4mins, p