Anxiolytics are a group of drugs which currently is comprised of
benzodiazepine compounds, buspirone, antihistamines as hydroxyzine, some
anticonvulsants and chlormethiazole. Hypnotics, in turn, include some benzodiazepines,
the so-called “z-agents” and other compounds like melatonin and ramelteon and
sedative antidepressants. Even though they are a relatively safe group that can provide
rapid symptomatic amelioration, most of them are associated to the development of
addiction and pose specific problems in old age. Therefore, the peculiars of these
compounds and the characteristics of the elderly make especially accurate the classical
recommendation to prescribe these drugs for short periods of time only.
Keywords: Addiction, Alprazolam, Anxiolytics, Ataxia, Benzodiazepines,
Buspirone, Chlormethiazole, Clonazepam, Delirium, Diazepam, Doxepin,
Eszopiclone, Falls, Gabapentin, Hydroxyzine, Hypnotics, Melatonin, Mirtazapine,
Pregabalin, Ramelteon, Trazodone, Triazolam, Zaleplon, Zolpidem, Zopiclone.