Treating Insomnia in Older Adults: Determining Risks Versus Benefits of Drug Therapy
Insomnia affects 40-60% of older adults and can increase the risk of developing several comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, and dementia. Additionally, increased all-cause mortality has been associated with adults who experience low sleep efficiency. Non-pharmacologic strategies are recommended as first-line treatment for insomnia in both younger and older adults. However, clinicians are often placed in situations where medication therapy may still be needed such as when non-pharmacologic strategies are not or only partially effective. Because of the increased risk of adverse effects that can occur with prescribing CNS medications in older adults, a review of the efficacy versus risks of sleep medications can be beneficial for clinicians who care for this patient population.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this application-based activity, participants should be able to:
- Examine the risks of untreated insomnia in older adults
- Investigate non-pharmacologic strategies for treatment of insomnia in older adults
- Compare the benefits and risks of GABA-A receptor modulators, orexin receptor antagonists, ramelteon, and sedating antidepressants for the treatment of insomnia in older adults.
- Develop a treatment plan for an older adult with insomnia unresponsive or partially responsive to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Target Audience
Senior Care Pharmacists who provide expert advice on the use of medications to individuals and older adults and are committed to providing person-centered care, considering the complex interrelationships between disease states, nutrition, medications, and other variables.
Speaker
Monica Mathys, PharmD, BCGP, BCPP
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Financial Disclosure
Dr. Monica Mathys does not have relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
None of the planners for this activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies.
How to Access Content
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Select “launch” to open the course. Click through the menu items in sequence to move through the course process to claim credit. You must complete the course in its entirety to claim credit
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Post-test must be completed with minimum score of 75 before moving on to the evaluation.
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All courses contain an evaluation that must be completed
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Once you have completed the course evaluation, please confirm proper submission by checking your CPE Monitor/and or BPS portal (BCGP pharmacists) within 24-48 hours of course completion.
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If you need assistance, email the Education Department at
education@ascp.com
Claim Credit
UAN: 0203-9999-24-025-H01-P
Date of Release:04/01/2024
Date of Expiration: 04/01/2025 11:59pm ET
BCGP Pharmacists: To ensure successful transfer of BCGP credit, your ASCP profile must be updated with your correct BCGP Credential Number and BPS-IND# prior to course completion. *Please note, any edit/updates made to your BCGP credential information in your ASCP profile after course completion requires a re-push, please submit your completed transcript to education@ascp.com for a manual upload.
CPE & BCGP Credit: You must complete the post-test and evaluation by the expiration date to receive credit. You have three attempts to achieve a 75% or higher on the post-test. ASCP reports CPE attainment to ACPE and NABP via the CPE Monitor system. The course should be posted within 24-48 hours of evaluation completion. It is the responsibility of the participant to provide their correct date of birth (MMDD format) and NABP e-Profile ID on their member or guest profile on the ASCP Website.
This educational activity was developed by the American Society of Consulting Pharmacists (ASCP) in collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). To study a case about this topic through APhA, please visit the catalog to learn more. ASCP members will receive the APhA member rate when using this code: ASCPMBR
Accreditation
ASCP is approved by BPS as a provider for the recertification of BCGP.
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is accredited by
the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider
of continuing pharmacy education.