Critical Assessment of Hypnotic Medications: Balancing Therapeutic Efficacy and Adverse Effects

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the current evidence thoroughly on the benefits and risks of using sleep-inducing drugs, such as benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines, in the treatment of insomnia. The review was conducted using the Ganong method, which includes selecting the research question, establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, and critically analyzing the selected studies. The PICO structure was used to formulate the research question, and the search was conducted in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and BVS, covering studies published between 2005 and 2024 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The main findings show that prolonged use of these medications is associated with significant risks, including dependence and neuropsychiatric adverse effects. In contrast, cognitive-behavioral therapy emerges as a safer and more effective long-term alternative for insomnia management. These results highlight the importance of reassessing current clinical practices and promoting non-pharmacological approaches for the treatment of this disorder, with key implications for public health.