Scarce data exists to characterize the nature of recent sedative/hypnotic use in ambulatory patients. Clinical literature suggests that use of these agents has adverse consequences related to physical and mental functioning that may be of particular concern to older individuals. Administrative data provides an opportunity to examine this use in the general population. OBJECTIVES: The study purpose was to investigate how sedative/hypnotic drugs are used in an ambulatory population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prescription claims from an integrated database. Persons with at least one prescription for a nonbarbiturate sedative/hypnotic in a 36 month sampling frame (1/1/95-12/31/97) were included. Sedative/hypnotic agents included: estazolam, ethchlorvynol, flurazepam, glutethimide, quazepam, temazepam, triazolam, and zolpidem. RESULTS: 55,086 persons had at least one claim for the drugs of interest. 58% were female, the average age was 62 years ? 14.5 years, with a range of 3-104 years. 58% of those identified were 60+ years of age. Women were only slightly older than men (62.1 years compared to 61.8 years). The most commonly used agent during the study timeframe was zolpidem (a short-acting agent) with 58% of identified subjects having at least one claim. This was followed by temazepam (an intermediate acting agent) used by 36% of persons identified. 53% of persons using zolpidem and 36% of persons using temazepam were 60+ years of age. 27% of persons identified had claims evidence suggestive of single, one time acquisition of a sedative/hypnotic agent during a 12 month period of time. CONCLUSION: The majority of persons in this ambulatory population used short or intermediate acting sedative/hypnotics, for extended use. A large number of patients 60+ years of age rely on benzodiazepine based agents (temazepam) that can produce daytime sedation which may decrease daytime functioning.