Scientists raise alarm about effects of commonly prescribed sleeping pill

Key Points:

• A new clinical trial from Flinders University revealed that low-dose quetiapine, commonly prescribed off-label for insomnia, modestly improves sleep quality and reduces obstructive sleep apnea severity but significantly impairs next-day alertness and driving performance.
• Despite better sleep duration and fewer awakenings, participants showed slower reaction times, more attention lapses, and poorer driving simulator performance after taking quetiapine, increasing real-world crash risk.
• Some individuals did not feel sleepy the next day despite objective evidence of impaired function, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between perceived and actual alertness.
• Researchers urge a shift away from one-size-fits-all sedative treatments for sleep disorders, advocating for tailored approaches that address underlying causes rather than relying on medications like quetiapine.
• The study underscores concerns about the widespread off-label use of sedatives for sleep problems, emphasizing risks such as cognitive impairment, dependency, and worsened breathing.