Abstract
The use of hypnotic drugs during the postpartum period in Japan remains unclear. This study investigated the use of hypnotic drugs during the first two weeks of the early postpartum period, including the reasons for prescription and the occurrence of adverse events. Patient backgrounds, hypnotic drug used, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, and adverse reactions were investigated retrospectively investigated using patient medical records.
Of the 1893 puerperal women admitted during the study period, 52 (2.9%) used hypnotic drugs during the first two weeks postpartum and were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 33.2 years, including 38 (73.1%) participants who underwent caesarean section deliveries. Insomnia and anxiety were the combined reasons for hypnotic drug use for 42 (80.8%) patients. Additionally, 48 patients used a single hypnotic drug, 2 patients used a combination of two drugs, and 2 patients changed from one hypnotic drug to another during the two-week period.
Of the 56 drugs used, zolpidem was the most commonly used drug (n=35 (62.5%)), followed by brotizolam (n=10 (17.9%)), lenvorexant (n=6 (10.7%)), eszopiclone (n=3 (5.4%)), and suvorexant and etizolam (n=1 (1.8%)). Furthermore, 18 (42.9%) patients had an EPDS score of ≥9 at either the 2-week or 1-month follow-up visit. One case of infant apnea was observed in an infant of a patient prescribed zolpidem prior to delivery, and in one case of dizziness in a patient prescribed lenborexant. No other adverse effects were reported.
Improved mother and child safety information and safer use of hypnotic drugs are desirable.
