Older people who have been newly prescribed sleeping pills like benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are more than as likely to have a hip fracture in the first two weeks compared with non-users, according to a new study by researchers at Cardiff University and King’s College London (Cardiff University, 2017).

Dr Ben Carter, who works at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, said “While ‘Z-drugs are fast becoming the doctor’s hypnotic prescription of choice, there is no evidence that they are a safer alternative to benzodiazepines in relation to hip fracture risk. Our study shows that both appear to significantly increase the risk of hip fracture when newly prescribed by doctors.”

The study, published in PLOS ONE, of people aged aged over sixty five found new users of these hypnotic medicines experienced nearly two and a half times the fracture rate, when compared with older people not taking hypnotics. An estimated 53% increase in fracture risk was identified in medium-term users (fifteen to thirty days), as well as a 20% increased risk of hip fracture in long-term users (greater than thirty days).

Ben Carter said “Careful consideration of the immediate increased risk of hip fracture should inform the clinical decision-making process…Clinically effective measures like strength training to improve frailty, removal of hazards at home, visual correction and a medication review are also needed to mitigate the risk of hip fractures, particularly in the first few days of use.”

The research supports previous studies linking use of hypnotics by older people with an increased risk of accidents, dependence, cognitive decline and hip fracture. The drugs are also thought to cause drowsiness, delayed reaction times and impaired balance.