[Which alternative to benzodiazepines, Z-pills and other hypnotics for aged people ? Melatonin, valerian, or clomethiazole].

Sleep disorders are a recurrent complaint in geriatrics. Of multifactorial origin, they have a significant impact on health and quality of life. However, the answer is (too) often the prescription of benzodiazepines or related-drugs (Z-pills), sedative antidepressant, or another psychotropic medication. More recently, melatonin, valerian and, in Switzerland, clomethiazol are widely considered as effective and more suitable alternatives for aged people. We present a systematic review of the literature on the efficacy and tolerance of these molecules, of which the main objective is to demonstrate that non-pharmacological approach must remain the first-line therapy of insomnia in geriatrics.