Is melatonin helpful in stopping the long-term use of hypnotics? A discontinuation trial.

Objective: To find out if administration of melatonin facilitates discontinuation of benzodiazepine (BD) therapy in patients with insomnia.

Method: A placebo controlled trial in nine general practices in the Netherlands. Long-term users of benzodiazepines were asked by their GP to participate in a discontinuation program in combination with melatonin or placebo.

Use of hypnotic and tranquillising drugs in general practice. Determinants, satisfaction and motivation to stop: the patients' view.

Objective: To know more about the characteristics of long-term users of hypnotic and tranquillising drugs in a primary health care area in The Netherlands.

Design: A questionnaire was applied to users of benzodiazepines and the computerised medical records were analysed.

Setting: Nine general practices affiliated to the Registration Network Family Practices (RNH) of the University of Maastricht (UM).