England July to September 2023

Published 7 December 2023

Summary

Between July and September 2023:

3.4 million hypnotics and anxiolytics items were prescribed to an estimated 1.0 million identified patients.

The cost of prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics items was £28 million.

1. Things you should know

Hypnotics are used to treat insomnia - a difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed. Most hypnotics will sedate if given during the day. Anxiolytics are used in the treatment of anxiety states and if given at night will help to induce sleep. The drugs classified as hypnotics and anxiolytics are described in the BNF 68 section 4.1:

  • BNF paragraph 4.1.1 - Hypnotics
  • BNF paragraph 4.1.2 - Anxiolytics
  • BNF paragraph 4.1.3 - Barbiturates

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. The most common problem with insomnia is difficult falling asleep (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

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

Figure 1: Number of prescribed items and identified patients by financial quarter - BNF 4.1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics

3.4 million hypnotics and anxiolytics items prescribed in Q2 2023/24.

1.0 million identified patients received a hypnotics and anxiolytic item in Q2 2023/24.

Hypnotics and anxiolytics items and identified patients increased compared to the previous quarter, though the long term trend is downwards.

Figure 2: Cost of prescribing by financial quarter - BNF 4.1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics

The cost of prescribed hypnotics and anxiolytics items was £28 million in Q2 2023/24.

The cost of hypnotics and anxiolytics prescribing fell for the second quarter in a row, after a previous upward trend.

Figure 3: Number of prescribed items and identified patients by month - BNF 4.1: Hypnotics and anxiolytics

An average of 670,000 patients per month received prescribing for hypnotics and anxiolytics over the last 12 months.

Hypnotics and anxiolytics items decreased by 2.2% over the last 12 months, compared to the previous 12 month period.

3. Sections in this release