Frequency of prescribing Z drugs

The dispensing data for Z drugs has shown that there was an increase in the dispensing of the drug from 1991 - 2009.

• This increase does not mirror nor proportionally reflect the decrease in hypnotic benzodiazepine dispensing
• overall there is a decrease in total hypnotic prescribing (z-drugs and benzodiazepines) across this time frame

The General Practice Research Database (GPRD) has shown that

• Z drugs were prescribed as part of a series, rather than as a stand-alone prescription
• over 65% of prescribing episodes lasted no more than 4 weeks (in keeping with the guidelines and summary of products characteristics) (1)

Reference:

• (1) National Addiction Centre, King's College London and School of Social and Community Medicine 2011. The changing use of prescribed benzodiazepines and z-drugs and of over-the-counter codeine-containing products in England: a structured review of published English and international evidence and available data to inform consideration of the extent of dependence and harm.