The findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis illustrated superior effects of clomethiazole (chlormethiazole) on sleep duration and sleep quality in older adults with insomnia in combination with fewer drop-outs and hang-over effects when compared to placebo and/or other drugs. Investigators sought to determine Clomethiazole's safety and effectiveness in people experiencing sleep disorder.

Electronic databases were examined as part of the literature search. Review and analysis were done on manuscripts obtained from Medline (through PubMed), Scopus, PMC, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Ovid, and ZB MED. Studies that examined the effects of clomethiazole to placebo and other medications on sleep duration, sleep onset, sleep quality, adverse events, or drop-out rates were considered to be RCTs.

Eight randomized controlled trials with 424 volunteers were encompassed.  In comparison with the placebo, Clomethiazole substantially lengthened sleep duration (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.61), whilst other medicines illustrated no discernible impact (SMD=-0.07). When compared to other medications, clomethiazole use elicited significantly lower drop-out rates (OR=0.51) and a higher number of patients with satisfactory sleep quality (OR=1.44).

Hence, Clomethiazole must be taken into consideration as substitute therapy in adults having severe insomnia.