Insomnia affects many adults in New Zealand, however management is only required if it leads to an impairment of daytime function. Non-drug interventions are first line treatment. If pharmacological therapy is required, a short-acting benzodiazepine or zopiclone is preferred.

Although clozapine is a specialist prescribed drug, GPs still need to be aware of potential problems associated with its use. Constipation, blood dyscrasias, myocarditis and metabolic syndrome are all adverse effects which can lead to severe complications.

Nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting, is a common condition which children usually grow out of. Advice to parents on simple behavioural strategies is usually the first step. The use of bed alarms with support offers the best chance of long-term success. The occasional, short-term use of desmopressin is also discussed.

Head lice are non-discriminatory in who they affect, however outbreaks among school children are most common. We discuss treatments including detection combing and insecticides, which together may be the most successful method of eradication.

Generic prescribing is cost effective, associated with less potential for error and is considered “best practice” in most situations. We give you six reasons why you should prescribe generically and describe the situations when you should not.

New evidence concludes that self monitoring of blood glucose for people with non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes is not beneficial. We discuss the implications of two recently published articles.

A new study suggests that taking antioxidant supplements, especially vitamin A, vitamin E or beta-carotene, does not prevent ageing and may in fact shorten lifespan.