RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 GPs' attitudes to benzodiazepine and ‘Z-drug’ prescribing: a barrier to implementation of evidence and guidance on hypnotics
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 964
OP 967
VO 56
IS 533
A1 A Niroshan Siriwardena
A1 Zubair Qureshi
A1 Steve Gibson
A1 Sarah Collier
A1 Martin Latham
YR 2006
UL http://bjgp.org/content/56/533/964.abstract
AB Zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone (‘Z-drugs’) prescribing is gradually rising in the UK, while that of benzodiazepine hypnotics is falling. This situation is contrary to current evidence and guidance on hypnotic prescribing. The aim of this study was to determine and compare primary care physicians' perceptions of benefits and risks of benzodiazepine and Z-drug use, and physicians' prescribing behaviour in relation to hypnotics using a cross-sectional survey. In 2005 a self-administered postal questionnaire was sent to all GPs in West Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust. The questionnaire investigated perceptions of benefits and disadvantages of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. Of the 107 questionnaires sent to GPs, 84 (78.5%) analysable responses were received. Responders believed that Z-drugs were more effective than benzodiazepines in terms of patients feeling rested on waking (P&lt;0.001), daytime functioning (P&lt;0.001), and total sleep time (P = 0.03). Z-drugs were also thought to be safer in terms of tolerance (P&lt;0.001), addiction (P&lt;0.001), dependence (P&lt;0.001), daytime sleepiness (P&lt;0.001), and road traffic accidents (P = 0.018), and were thought to be safer for older people (P&lt;0.001). There were significant differences between GPs' perceptions of the relative benefits and risk of Z-drugs compared with benzodiazepines. The majority of practitioners attributed greater efficacy and lower side effects to Z-drugs. GPs' beliefs about effectiveness and safety are not determined by current evidence or national (NICE) guidance which may explain the increase in Z-drug prescribing relative to benzodiazepine prescribing.