RUNNING TITLE: Discontinuation of hypnotics in therapy of insomnia

Many patients suffering of chronic insomnia are prescribed, particularly if treated by nonpsychiatrists, various types of hypnotics. Among these drugs, 3 rd generation hypnotics became increasingly popular. In contrast to benzodiazepines, it is believed that zolpidem may restore physiological sleep 1 .According to Voderholzer et al 2 , zolpidem has only slight and non significant rebound effect and therefore it does not trigger chronic use or a risk of tolerance and dependence. However, there is a group of patients chronically using the drug every day in the long term. Many of them increase the daily dose, but their insomnia continues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in sleep parameters after abrupt discontinuation of zolpidem during an adequate therapy of insomnia.