TGA puts warning on Stilnox packets

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has placed a boxed warning on packets of the sleeping pill, Stilnox, and other medications containing zolpidem.

The warning highlights potentially dangerous sleep-related behaviours that may be linked to zolpidem use and recommends limiting usage to a maximum of four weeks.

In a position statement the National Prescribing Service (NPS) says zolpidem has been associated with a variety of unusual sleep-related events, including sleepwalking, sleep eating and sleep driving, with patients having no recollection of the event.

The NPS also recommends using any hypnotics in the lowest possible dose, for the shortest possible time, which it defines as ideally less than two weeks.