England - April to June 2025
Published 11 September 2025
Summary
Between April and June 2025:
There were 3.3 million hypnotics and anxiolytics items prescribed to an estimated 1 million identified patients.
The cost of prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics items was £21 million.
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
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 will help to induce sleep if given at night. 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 prescribed items and identified patients by financial quarter - BNF 4.1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics
Chart
Figure 1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics items increased in Q1 2025/26, while identified patients decreased
Table
Table 1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics items increased in Q1 2025/26, while identified patients decreased
| Financial quarter | BNF section name | Total prescribed items | Identified patients |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/2021 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,538,597 | 1,056,392 |
| 2020/2021 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,651,053 | 1,089,574 |
| 2020/2021 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,564,349 | 1,103,955 |
| 2021/2022 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,485,720 | 1,046,960 |
| 2021/2022 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,519,276 | 1,061,476 |
| 2021/2022 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,548,166 | 1,068,587 |
| 2021/2022 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,488,277 | 1,084,103 |
| 2022/2023 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,449,160 | 1,047,758 |
| 2022/2023 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,440,946 | 1,047,028 |
| 2022/2023 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,436,883 | 1,038,645 |
| 2022/2023 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,440,157 | 1,059,630 |
| 2023/2024 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,356,373 | 1,025,432 |
| 2023/2024 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,389,972 | 1,039,821 |
| 2023/2024 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,401,783 | 1,031,403 |
| 2023/2024 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,371,711 | 1,039,244 |
| 2024/2025 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,343,580 | 1,013,003 |
| 2024/2025 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,367,666 | 1,014,028 |
| 2024/2025 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,413,922 | 1,023,398 |
| 2024/2025 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,321,429 | 1,030,459 |
| 2025/2026 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 3,324,230 | 1,011,524 |
Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics
3.3 million hypnotics and anxiolytics items were prescribed in Q1 2025/26.
1 million identified patients received a hypnotics and anxiolytics item in Q1 2025/26.
Hypnotics and anxiolytics items increased slightly in Q1 2025/26, while identified patients decreased, but both show a long-term downward trend overall.
Cost of prescribing by financial quarter - BNF 4.1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics
Chart
Figure 2: Hypnotics and anxiolytics costs decreased in Q1 2025/26 compared to Q4 2024/25
Table
Table 2: Hypnotics and anxiolytics costs decreased in Q1 2025/26 compared to Q4 2024/25
| Financial quarter | BNF section name | Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/2021 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 22,590,741 |
| 2020/2021 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 23,593,105 |
| 2020/2021 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 23,536,082 |
| 2021/2022 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 24,448,454 |
| 2021/2022 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 25,244,089 |
| 2021/2022 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 26,011,978 |
| 2021/2022 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 25,650,553 |
| 2022/2023 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 25,465,595 |
| 2022/2023 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 30,624,444 |
| 2022/2023 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 31,505,254 |
| 2022/2023 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 32,566,780 |
| 2023/2024 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 29,436,491 |
| 2023/2024 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 28,252,125 |
| 2023/2024 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 26,836,345 |
| 2023/2024 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 25,692,642 |
| 2024/2025 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 25,069,684 |
| 2024/2025 Q2 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 22,843,091 |
| 2024/2025 Q3 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 24,380,105 |
| 2024/2025 Q4 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 21,663,843 |
| 2025/2026 Q1 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 21,469,505 |
Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics
In Q1 2025/26, the cost of prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics items was £21 million.
Compared to the previous quarter, the cost of hypnotics and anxiolytics prescribing decreased by 0.9%.
Number of prescribed items and identified patients by month - BNF 4.1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics
Chart
Figure 3: Latest 12-month rolling averages for hypnotics and anxiolytics items decreased, while identified patients has remained stable compared to the previous 12-month period
Table
Table 3: Latest 12-month rolling averages for hypnotics and anxiolytics items decreased, while identified patients has remained stable compared to the previous 12-month period
| Month | BNF section name | Total prescribed items | Identified patients | Rolling average items | Rolling average patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202007 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,233,685 | 708,675 | 1,214,938 | 702,247 |
| 202008 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,111,558 | 664,478 | 1,202,736 | 698,706 |
| 202009 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,193,354 | 696,429 | 1,203,159 | 698,390 |
| 202010 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,217,634 | 708,339 | 1,198,919 | 697,278 |
| 202011 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,171,799 | 700,160 | 1,196,630 | 697,195 |
| 202012 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,261,620 | 718,609 | 1,199,732 | 698,811 |
| 202101 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,190,002 | 715,633 | 1,192,809 | 697,282 |
| 202102 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,124,854 | 691,500 | 1,191,203 | 697,658 |
| 202103 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,249,493 | 720,535 | 1,192,499 | 698,611 |
| 202104 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,180,815 | 690,712 | 1,189,767 | 698,773 |
| 202105 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,119,207 | 675,672 | 1,187,233 | 698,600 |
| 202106 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,185,698 | 690,815 | 1,186,643 | 698,463 |
| 202107 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,189,835 | 691,547 | 1,182,989 | 697,036 |
| 202108 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,137,341 | 673,530 | 1,185,138 | 697,790 |
| 202109 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,192,100 | 699,308 | 1,185,033 | 698,030 |
| 202110 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,140,894 | 681,054 | 1,178,638 | 695,756 |
| 202111 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,179,858 | 694,621 | 1,179,310 | 695,295 |
| 202112 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,227,414 | 701,552 | 1,176,459 | 693,873 |
| 202201 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,166,409 | 698,919 | 1,174,493 | 692,480 |
| 202202 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,095,780 | 673,214 | 1,172,070 | 690,957 |
| 202203 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,226,088 | 711,798 | 1,170,120 | 690,228 |
| 202204 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,134,124 | 669,691 | 1,166,229 | 688,477 |
| 202205 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,174,479 | 688,317 | 1,170,835 | 689,530 |
| 202206 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,140,557 | 672,951 | 1,167,073 | 688,042 |
| 202207 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,118,916 | 663,775 | 1,161,163 | 685,728 |
| 202208 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,162,380 | 673,645 | 1,163,250 | 685,737 |
| 202209 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,159,650 | 681,597 | 1,160,546 | 684,261 |
| 202210 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,138,592 | 674,158 | 1,160,354 | 683,686 |
| 202211 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,155,670 | 677,397 | 1,158,338 | 682,251 |
| 202212 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,142,621 | 656,114 | 1,151,272 | 678,465 |
| 202301 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,161,614 | 681,661 | 1,150,873 | 677,026 |
| 202302 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,065,839 | 649,727 | 1,148,378 | 675,069 |
| 202303 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,212,704 | 698,461 | 1,147,262 | 673,958 |
| 202304 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,070,789 | 646,859 | 1,141,984 | 672,055 |
| 202305 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,137,527 | 669,078 | 1,138,905 | 670,452 |
| 202306 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,148,057 | 672,902 | 1,139,530 | 670,448 |
| 202307 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,118,512 | 667,776 | 1,139,496 | 670,781 |
| 202308 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,149,849 | 671,258 | 1,138,452 | 670,582 |
| 202309 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,121,611 | 670,439 | 1,135,282 | 669,652 |
| 202310 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,136,705 | 672,348 | 1,135,125 | 669,502 |
| 202311 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,138,481 | 672,862 | 1,133,692 | 669,124 |
| 202312 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,126,597 | 664,067 | 1,132,357 | 669,786 |
| 202401 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,172,557 | 689,739 | 1,133,269 | 670,460 |
| 202402 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,096,110 | 662,660 | 1,135,792 | 671,537 |
| 202403 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,103,044 | 660,226 | 1,126,653 | 668,351 |
| 202404 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,127,870 | 667,678 | 1,131,410 | 670,086 |
| 202405 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,150,089 | 667,962 | 1,132,457 | 669,993 |
| 202406 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,065,621 | 646,755 | 1,125,587 | 667,814 |
| 202407 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,157,082 | 668,923 | 1,128,801 | 667,910 |
| 202408 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,113,433 | 654,332 | 1,125,767 | 666,499 |
| 202409 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,097,151 | 662,230 | 1,123,728 | 665,815 |
| 202410 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,165,934 | 678,996 | 1,126,164 | 666,369 |
| 202411 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,108,383 | 664,705 | 1,123,656 | 665,689 |
| 202412 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,139,605 | 665,926 | 1,124,740 | 665,844 |
| 202501 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,173,328 | 692,009 | 1,124,804 | 666,034 |
| 202502 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,047,445 | 648,227 | 1,120,749 | 664,831 |
| 202503 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,100,656 | 666,326 | 1,120,550 | 665,339 |
| 202504 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,096,906 | 651,594 | 1,117,969 | 663,999 |
| 202505 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,128,060 | 667,976 | 1,116,134 | 664,000 |
| 202506 | Hypnotics and anxiolytics | 1,099,264 | 665,705 | 1,118,937 | 665,579 |
Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - Hypnotics and anxiolytics
Over the 12 months to June 2025, an average of 666,000 identified patients per month received a hypnotics and anxiolytics item.
Compared to the previous 12 month period, hypnotics and anxiolytics items decreased by 0.6% in the 12 months to June 2025.
3. Sections in this release
- Medicines used in Mental Health summary
- BNF Section 4.3 - Antidepressant drugs
- BNF Section 4.2 - Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders
- BNF Section 4.4 - Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and drugs used for ADHD
- BNF Section 4.11 - Drugs for dementia
- Medicines used in Mental Health background