England 2016/17 to 2025/26

Published 23 July 2026

Summary

In England in 2025/26:

14 million hypnotics and anxiolytics items were prescribed to an estimated 1.9 million identified patients.

24% more patients were prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics items in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.

More female patients were prescribed a hypnotics and anxiolytics item than male patients.

1. Things you should know

The drugs classified as hypnotics and anxiolytics are described in the British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.1:

  • BNF paragraph 4.1.1 - Hypnotics
  • BNF paragraph 4.1.2 - Anxiolytics
  • BNF paragraph 4.1.3 - Barbiturates
  • BNF paragraph 4.1.4 - Other hypnotics and anxiolytics
These paragraphs are held in the same structure of the BNF prior to the release of version 70.

1.1. Hypnotics and anxiolytics

Hypnotics and anxiolytics are used to treat insomnia and anxiety respectively.

Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed in the morning, despite there being enough opportunity to sleep. Most hypnotics will sedate if given during the day. Difficulty falling asleep is the most common problem with insomnia and is also known as sleep-onset insomnia. An insomniac may also experience:

  • waking in the night
  • not feeling refreshed after sleep and not being able to function normally during the day
  • feeling irritable and tired and finding it difficult to concentrate
  • waking when they have been disturbed from sleep by pain or noise
  • waking early in the morning

Anxiolytics are used in the treatment of anxiety states and if given at night will help to induce sleep. Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, which can be mild or severe. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety at some point in their life and feeling anxious is sometimes perfectly normal. However, people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and often affect their daily life. There are several conditions for which anxiety is the main symptom. Panic disorder, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder can all cause severe anxiety.

You can find more information about insomnia and anxiety from the NHS website.

2. Results - Hypnotics and anxiolytics

Number of hypnotics and anxiolytics items prescribed in England 2016/17 to 2025/26

Chart
Figure 1: The total number of hypnotics and anxiolytics items increased in 2025/26
Table
Table 1: The total number of hypnotics and anxiolytics items increased in 2025/26
Financial year BNF paragraph name Total items
2016/2017 Anxiolytics 6,759,144
2016/2017 Barbiturates 4,393
2016/2017 Hypnotics 9,008,062
2017/2018 Anxiolytics 6,571,159
2017/2018 Barbiturates 3,764
2017/2018 Hypnotics 8,679,806
2018/2019 Anxiolytics 6,410,884
2018/2019 Barbiturates 3,238
2018/2019 Hypnotics 8,446,490
2019/2020 Anxiolytics 6,329,256
2019/2020 Barbiturates 2,524
2019/2020 Hypnotics 8,309,953
2020/2021 Anxiolytics 6,060,834
2020/2021 Barbiturates 1,902
2020/2021 Hypnotics 8,247,253
2021/2022 Anxiolytics 5,912,500
2021/2022 Barbiturates 1,410
2021/2022 Hypnotics 8,127,529
2022/2023 Anxiolytics 5,806,143
2022/2023 Barbiturates 742
2022/2023 Hypnotics 7,960,261
2023/2024 Anxiolytics 5,607,023
2023/2024 Barbiturates 539
2023/2024 Hypnotics 7,910,723
2023/2024 Other hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,554
2024/2025 Anxiolytics 5,382,329
2024/2025 Barbiturates 163
2024/2025 Hypnotics 8,023,747
2024/2025 Other hypnotics and anxiolytics 40,358
2025/2026 Anxiolytics 5,176,191
2025/2026 Barbiturates 12
2025/2026 Hypnotics 8,200,155
2025/2026 Other hypnotics and anxiolytics 200,351
2016/2017 Total 15,771,599
2017/2018 Total 15,254,729
2018/2019 Total 14,860,612
2019/2020 Total 14,641,733
2020/2021 Total 14,309,989
2021/2022 Total 14,041,439
2022/2023 Total 13,767,146
2023/2024 Total 13,519,839
2024/2025 Total 13,446,597
2025/2026 Total 13,576,709

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics

In 2025/26 there were 14 million hypnotic and anxiolytic items prescribed, 1% more than in 2024/25. Items have decreased each year since 2016/17 across the BNF paragraphs for anxiolytics and barbiturates. Barbiturates items have fallen from 4,390 in 2016/17 to just 12 items in 2025/26.

Items prescribed from the BNF paragraph hypnotics decreased every year between 2016/17 and 2023/24. Between 2024/25 and 2025/26 there was an increase in hypnotics items of 2.2%. The trend in hypnotics items is driven by a decrease in prescribing of zopiclone and an increase in prescribing of melatonin. From 2016/17 to 2025/26, zopiclone decreased by 1.5 million items whereas melatonin has increased by 2.2 million items.

There were 200,000 items prescribed from the BNF paragraph other hypnotics and anxiolytics in 2025/26. The number of items increased from just 1,550 items in 2023/24, the first time this paragraph has been represented in the data. In all three years, these items were only for the chemical substance daridorexant.

Number of identified patients prescribed one or more hypnotics and anxiolytics items in England 2016/17 to 2025/26

In figure 2, any patient who was prescribed items from more than one BNF paragraph is counted in each relevant paragraph. However, these patients have only been counted once in the hypnotics and anxiolytics total. The total number of identified patients is therefore lower than if the totals for each paragraph are added together.

Chart
Figure 2: The overall decrease in identified patients for hypnotics and anxiolytics has slowed since 2021/22
Table
Table 2: The overall decrease in identified patients for hypnotics and anxiolytics has slowed since 2021/22
Financial year BNF paragraph name Total identified patients
2016/2017 Anxiolytics 1,325,608
2016/2017 Barbiturates 289
2016/2017 Hypnotics 1,296,228
2017/2018 Anxiolytics 1,279,536
2017/2018 Barbiturates 239
2017/2018 Hypnotics 1,246,296
2018/2019 Anxiolytics 1,240,218
2018/2019 Barbiturates 195
2018/2019 Hypnotics 1,203,190
2019/2020 Anxiolytics 1,189,251
2019/2020 Barbiturates 161
2019/2020 Hypnotics 1,161,716
2020/2021 Anxiolytics 1,037,211
2020/2021 Barbiturates 121
2020/2021 Hypnotics 1,140,729
2021/2022 Anxiolytics 1,035,942
2021/2022 Barbiturates 74
2021/2022 Hypnotics 1,108,541
2022/2023 Anxiolytics 1,025,529
2022/2023 Barbiturates 44
2022/2023 Hypnotics 1,080,831
2023/2024 Anxiolytics 963,844
2023/2024 Barbiturates 29
2023/2024 Hypnotics 1,086,368
2023/2024 Other hypnotics and anxiolytics 892
2024/2025 Anxiolytics 895,199
2024/2025 Barbiturates 15
2024/2025 Hypnotics 1,089,298
2024/2025 Other hypnotics and anxiolytics 13,428
2025/2026 Anxiolytics 851,502
2025/2026 Barbiturates 0
2025/2026 Hypnotics 1,128,836
2025/2026 Other hypnotics and anxiolytics 52,809
2016/2017 Total 2,399,103
2017/2018 Total 2,315,121
2018/2019 Total 2,243,280
2019/2020 Total 2,160,534
2020/2021 Total 1,993,511
2021/2022 Total 1,973,818
2022/2023 Total 1,936,934
2023/2024 Total 1,896,610
2024/2025 Total 1,846,207
2025/2026 Total 1,867,857

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics

There were an estimated 1.9 million identified patients prescribed at least one hypnotics and anxiolytics item in 2025/26. Identified patients have generally decreased over time since 2016/17, however there was a 1.2% increase in 2025/26 compared to 2024/25.

The number of identified patients prescribed at least one item from BNF paragraph hypnotics has increased each year since 2022/23. There was an increase of 3.6% since 2024/25, to 1.1 million identified patients in 2025/26. There was also an increase in the number of patients prescribed items from the BNF paragraph other hypnotics and anxiolytics. The number of patients has risen to 52,800 in 2025/26 from just 892 in 2023/24, the first time this paragraph was included in the data.

Number of items and identified patients for hypnotics and anxiolytics prescribing in England, quarter 1 2016/17 to quarter 4 2025/26

Chart
Figure 3: Hypnotics and anxiolytics items fell in quarter 4 2025/26, while identified patients increased
Table
Table 3: Hypnotics and anxiolytics items fell in quarter 4 2025/26, while identified patients increased
Financial quarter BNF section name Total identified patients Total items
2016/2017 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,226,654 3,958,133
2016/2017 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,229,174 3,958,887
2016/2017 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,213,058 3,961,356
2016/2017 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,232,083 3,893,223
2017/2018 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,185,559 3,822,215
2017/2018 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,199,358 3,827,160
2017/2018 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,186,301 3,845,351
2017/2018 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,179,785 3,760,003
2018/2019 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,148,153 3,706,783
2018/2019 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,152,787 3,700,350
2018/2019 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,158,804 3,785,328
2018/2019 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,157,862 3,668,151
2019/2020 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,125,241 3,640,560
2019/2020 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,126,255 3,657,847
2019/2020 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,120,400 3,692,182
2019/2020 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,119,609 3,651,144
2020/2021 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,051,331 3,555,990
2020/2021 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,056,392 3,538,597
2020/2021 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,089,574 3,651,053
2020/2021 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,103,955 3,564,349
2021/2022 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,046,960 3,485,720
2021/2022 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,061,476 3,519,276
2021/2022 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,068,587 3,548,166
2021/2022 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,084,103 3,488,277
2022/2023 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,047,758 3,449,160
2022/2023 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,047,028 3,440,946
2022/2023 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,038,645 3,436,883
2022/2023 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,059,630 3,440,157
2023/2024 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,025,432 3,356,373
2023/2024 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,039,821 3,389,972
2023/2024 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,031,403 3,401,783
2023/2024 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,039,244 3,371,711
2024/2025 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,013,003 3,343,580
2024/2025 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,014,028 3,367,666
2024/2025 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,023,398 3,413,922
2024/2025 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,030,459 3,321,429
2025/2026 Q1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,011,524 3,324,230
2025/2026 Q2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,034,338 3,391,123
2025/2026 Q3 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,050,535 3,459,952
2025/2026 Q4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1,070,598 3,401,404

Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics

Hypnotics and anxiolytics items and identified patients showed small changes across the 4 quarters of 2025/26. Items decreased by 1.7% from 3.46 million in Q3 to 3.4 million in Q4. Identified patients increased from an estimated 1.05 million in Q3 2025/26 to 1.07 million in Q4, a rise of 1.9%.

In 2025/26, identified patients and items were both higher when compared to the same quarters in 2024/25, except for Q1. There were 3.9% more identified patients and 2.4% more items prescribed in Q4 2025/26 compared to Q4 2024/25.

Number of identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics drugs by age band and gender, England 2025/26

The data used in this chart and table includes identified patients where age and gender are known (99.2%). The number of patients is the raw figure and has not been adjusted by the national population of the same age and gender group. When interpreting demographic information the underlying populations should also be considered.

Chart
Figure 4: More female patients were prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics than male patients in 2025/26
Table
Table 4: More female patients were prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics than male patients in 2025/26
BNF section name Age band Patient gender Total identified patients
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 0 to 4 Female 3,615
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 0 to 4 Male 6,440
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 5 to 9 Female 19,977
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 5 to 9 Male 39,972
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 10 to 14 Female 30,181
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 10 to 14 Male 57,858
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 15 to 19 Female 33,353
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 15 to 19 Male 40,705
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 20 to 24 Female 29,364
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 20 to 24 Male 22,581
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 25 to 29 Female 40,670
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 25 to 29 Male 25,926
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 30 to 34 Female 55,459
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 30 to 34 Male 35,362
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 35 to 39 Female 70,128
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 35 to 39 Male 42,557
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 40 to 44 Female 76,933
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 40 to 44 Male 46,227
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 45 to 49 Female 78,018
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 45 to 49 Male 47,981
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 50 to 54 Female 87,472
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 50 to 54 Male 54,744
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 55 to 59 Female 93,018
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 55 to 59 Male 59,179
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 60 to 64 Female 90,356
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 60 to 64 Male 57,627
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 65 to 69 Female 74,789
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 65 to 69 Male 48,371
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 70 to 74 Female 70,160
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 70 to 74 Male 44,142
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 75 to 79 Female 81,763
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 75 to 79 Male 49,631
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 80 to 84 Female 67,780
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 80 to 84 Male 39,691
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 85 to 89 Female 49,939
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 85 to 89 Male 27,350
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 90+ Female 40,285
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 90+ Male 17,285

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics

The number of hypnotics and anxiolytics patients differed between males and females, continuing the pattern from previous years. In 2025/26, there were an estimated 1.1 million female patients and 770,000 male patients.

Female patients aged 55 to 59 were the largest group across all age and gender groups at 5% of all identified patients with a known age and gender. This was followed by female patients aged 60 to 64, then female patients aged 50 to 54. There were more male patients than female patients in the youngest age groups up to the 15 to 19 year old age group. All age groups for patients older than this had more female patients than male patients.

Number of identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics drugs by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile, England 2025/26

Chart
Figure 5: The most deprived areas had more identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics in 2025/26
Table
Table 5: The most deprived areas had more identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics in 2025/26
BNF section name IMD quintile Total identified patients Total items Items per patient
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 1 - Most Deprived 417,793 3,543,229 8.5
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 2 406,505 3,011,771 7.4
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 3 387,746 2,550,030 6.6
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 4 370,757 2,240,062 6.0
Hypnotics and anxiolytics 5 - Least Deprived 338,128 1,863,264 5.5

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics

There were an estimated 418,000 identified patients who were prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics in the most deprived areas in England in 2025/26. This was 24% more than the 338,000 identified patients in the least deprived areas.

There have also consistently been more items prescribed per patient in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived areas. In 2025/26, there were on average 8.5 items per patient prescribed in the most deprived areas, compared to 5.5 items per patient in the least deprived areas.

Number of identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics drugs per 1,000 population by ICB, England 2025/26

Map
Figure 6 (map): The number of identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics per 1,000 population varied by ICB
Chart
Figure 6 (chart): The number of identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics per 1,000 population varied by ICB

Note: After rounding the data, some ICBs have the same number of estimated patients per 1,000 population. This chart has been arranged by the unrounded values for each ICB.

Table
Table 6: The number of identified patients prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics per 1,000 population varied by ICB
ICB name ICB code BNF section name Patients per 1000 population
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB QYG Hypnotics and anxiolytics 45.0
NHS Devon ICB QJK Hypnotics and anxiolytics 44.9
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB QGH Hypnotics and anxiolytics 44.3
NHS Sussex ICB QNX Hypnotics and anxiolytics 42.6
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB QJG Hypnotics and anxiolytics 42.6
NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly ICB QT6 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 42.5
NHS Gloucestershire ICB QR1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 41.0
NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB QJ2 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 40.6
NHS Lincolnshire ICB QJM Hypnotics and anxiolytics 40.1
NHS Dorset ICB QVV Hypnotics and anxiolytics 38.2
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB QOC Hypnotics and anxiolytics 37.7
NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB QXU Hypnotics and anxiolytics 37.0
NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB QOX Hypnotics and anxiolytics 36.8
NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB QMM Hypnotics and anxiolytics 36.4
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB QRL Hypnotics and anxiolytics 35.9
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB QWU Hypnotics and anxiolytics 35.7
NHS North Central London ICB QMJ Hypnotics and anxiolytics 35.5
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB QHG Hypnotics and anxiolytics 34.8
NHS Mid and South Essex ICB QH8 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 34.4
NHS Somerset ICB QSL Hypnotics and anxiolytics 33.3
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB QNC Hypnotics and anxiolytics 32.3
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB QK1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 32.3
NHS Kent and Medway ICB QKS Hypnotics and anxiolytics 32.1
NHS Black Country ICB QUA Hypnotics and anxiolytics 32.1
NHS Frimley ICB QNQ Hypnotics and anxiolytics 31.9
NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB QHL Hypnotics and anxiolytics 30.4
NHS South Yorkshire ICB QF7 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 29.4
NHS Northamptonshire ICB QPM Hypnotics and anxiolytics 29.4
NHS Greater Manchester ICB QOP Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.9
NHS North West London ICB QRV Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.9
NHS South West London ICB QWE Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.8
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB QE1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.7
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB QM7 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.2
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB QT1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.2
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB QUY Hypnotics and anxiolytics 28.1
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB QOQ Hypnotics and anxiolytics 27.2
NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB QUE Hypnotics and anxiolytics 27.2
NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB QU9 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 27.0
NHS West Yorkshire ICB QWO Hypnotics and anxiolytics 24.3
NHS South East London ICB QKK Hypnotics and anxiolytics 23.6
NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB QHM Hypnotics and anxiolytics 23.5
NHS North East London ICB QMF Hypnotics and anxiolytics 23.4

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics | Office for National Statistics - ICB Mid-2024 population estimates

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB had the highest estimated number of identified patients per 1,000 population in 2025/26 who received at least one hypnotics and anxiolytics item. There were an estimated 45 patients per 1,000 population in this ICB.

NHS North East London ICB had the lowest estimated number of identified patients per 1,000 population who received at least one hypnotics and anxiolytics item in 2025/26. This ICB had an estimated 23 patients per 1,000 population.

3. Sections in this release