Paroxetine treatment of primary insomnia in older adults

Objective: The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of paroxetine for primary insomnia in older adults. Methods: Adults over age 55 with primary insomnia were randomly assigned to six weeks of double-blind treatment with paroxetine (N = 14) or placebo (N = 13). Outcome measures included persistence or resolution of insomnia; weekly diary measures of sleep quality, daytime alertness, and mood; and pre-/ postpolysomnographic measures of sleep latency, wake time after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency. Results: Although weekly diary-based measures showed improved subjective sleep quality, daytime alertness, and mood with paroxetine, the authors observed no effect on sleep efficiency or categorical response rates. Conclusion: Paroxetine appears to be ineffective for treating primary insomnia in old age.