Triazolam and Nitrazepam Use in Elderly Outpatients

OBJECTIVE: To determine adverse reactions and effects on sleep among three groups of patients: those taking triazolam, those taking nitrazepam, and a control group. DESIGN: Telephone interviews. PATIENTS: Forty-seven patients taking triazolam, 36 taking nitrazepam, and 40 control patients. All study participants were outpatients over 60 years of age. RESULTS: The rate of awakening in the middle of sleep was not significantly different among patients taking triazolam (61.7 percent) and those taking nitrazepam (69.4 percent). Incidence of nocturia, the primary reason for awakening, was not significantly different between triazolam- (36.2 percent) and nitrazepam-taking patients (41.7 percent). The rate of having difficulty falling back to sleep was significantly different among triazolam (62.1 percent) and nitrazepam (8 percent), and triazolam and control (11.1 percent) groups (p < 0.01). No difference was evident, however, between nitrazepam and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking nitrazepam have less difficulty returning to sleep compared with those who take triazolam. Thus, for elderly patients who awaken because of nocturia, nitrazepam may be more appropriate therapy.