The management of insomnia: an update

Insomnia is a common symptom but hypnotics should be avoided if possible. Management aims to identify and treat underlying causes, such as psychiatric disorders and medical problems. If symptomatic relief is still required in addition to medical, psychological and social interventions, hypnotics can be considered. Hypnotics should preferably be used intermittently, for less than two to four weeks. The newer non-benzodiazepine hypnotics - zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon - are not free of the problems surrounding the use of benzodiazepines.