Short-Term Efficacy of Zaleplon in Older Patients with Chronic Insomnia

Objective: To assess the short-term efficacy of zaleplon in older patients with insomnia. Design and Setting: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Latin-square design conducted in six sleep research centres. Patients: 48 chronic insomnia patients, aged 60 to 80 years, without significant psychiatric or medical illness. Interventions: Placebo and zaleplon 2, 5 and 10mg. Main Outcome Measures: Polysomnographic (PSG) and subjective sleep latency and total sleep time. Results: PSG studies showed that latency to persistent sleep was shortened significantly (p < 0.015 or better) with all three zaleplon doses, as compared with placebo. Subjective sleep latency was reduced significantly with zaleplon 5 or 10mg (p < 0.017 or better). Additionally, total sleep time was significantly increased (p < 0.03 or better) compared with placebo at the 5 and 10mg doses based on PSG measures, but subjective assessments indicated that only the 10mg dose (p < 0.011) was superior to placebo on this variable. Psychomotor tests conducted the morning after each polysomnogram showed no deficits with any dose of zaleplon as compared with placebo. Conclusions: This study demonstrates short-term efficacy of zaleplon, particularly at the 5 and 10mg doses, in older patients with insomnia.