OTC Sleep Aids and Sleep Health in Older Adults is an extension of the groundbreaking work on OTC Medication Behaviors of Older Adults. GSA initiated this industry-supported collaboration of communities of interest from the public and private sectors; trade, professional, and advocacy organizations; and academia to raise understanding of issues and risks related to OTC sleep aid use in older adults, and frame future efforts to address barriers affecting health care professionals, older adults, and caregivers. Thought leaders with varied interests, experience, and expertise in OTC sleep aids and sleep health in older adults assembled to evaluate current research regarding OTC sleep aid use and sleep health in older adults and provide a framework for improving awareness, advocacy, education, safety, and appropriate use of OTC sleep aid products. Support provided by Pfizer.

This white paper was sponsored by Pfizer as part of a collaboration with The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) to support GSA’s campaign to address OTC sleep aids and sleep health in older adults. Support provided by Pfizer.

The October 2013 National Summit on OTC Sleep Aids and Sleep Health in Older Adults was intended to raise understanding of issues and risks related to OTC sleep aid use in older adults, and frame future efforts to address barriers affecting health care professionals, older adults, and caregivers. Communities of interest convening for the Summit drew from the public and private sectors; trade, professional, and advocacy organizations; and academia. Thought leaders with varied interests, experience, and expertise in OTC sleep aids and sleep health in older adults participated. Support provided by Pfizer.

Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids are widely self-administered and are generally safe, but their primary ingredients (diphenhydramine and doxylamine [DPH/DOX]) may pose risks, especially in older adults who may use these products outside of their label recommendations. This analysis characterizes the use of DPH/DOX for sleep disturbances by age and sex in older American adults. Support provided by Pfizer.

This What's Hot newsletter provides readers with snapshots of noteworthy research presented at key annual meetings and articles published in preeminent scholarly publications; the content includes information about the impact of poor sleep in older adults, treatment options for older adults who have sleep disturbances, and medication-taking behaviors of older adults. The science, with a focus on aging, is accompanied by expert discussion and analysis of questions raised by the research. Support provided by Pfizer.

Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids are widely self-administered and are generally safe, but their primary ingredients (diphenhydramine and doxylamine [DPH/DOX]) may pose risks, especially in older adults who may use these products outside of their label recommendations. This analysis characterizes the use of DPH/DOX for sleep disturbances by age and sex in older American adults. Support provided by Pfizer.