Brits with insomnia miss out on top sleep aids not on the NHS
BRITS are missing out on top insomnia drugs because they are not given on the NHS, say experts.
A study by Oxford University found the medications eszopiclone and lemborexant are better than other sleeping pills but are not prescribed.
Around one in five adults have clinical insomnia, meaning they have not slept properly for three or more months.
Study author Professor Andrea Cipriani said: “It is very important to treat insomnia as effectively as possible as it can have knock-on effects for a patient’s health, their home lives and the wider health system.”
A review of 154 clinical trials including 44,000 people found eszopiclone, sold as Lunesta, and lemborexant, known as Dayvigo, performed best.
They are not licensed for insomnia treatment by UK drug regulators, meaning they are not prescribed to patients with sleep troubles.
Neither are authorised by the European Medicines Agency but both are used in the US.
Researchers said drugs should not be the first resort for helping people to sleep but it is important to have quality medicines when they are needed.
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First options for sleepless patients should be healthier bedtime habits, such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, large meals, TV and phones before bed.
Cognitive behavioural therapy should also be offered to people who still struggle, experts said in The Lancet.
The NHS says people should not take sleeping pills for more than a week or two.
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Prof Cipriani added: “This is not a recommendation that drugs should always be used as the first line of support to treat insomnia – some of them can have serious side-effects.
"However, our research shows that some of these drugs can also be effective, and should be used when appropriate.”