Insomnia Treatment with Non-Benzodiazepines Ambien, Lunesta & Sonata
Why Can't I Get a Good Night's Sleep?
Before you dive into use of sleep medications, it's important to review your options and special safety concerns with these drugs. You and your doctor can work together to come up with a long-term plan to restore a restful sleep.
Is Insomnia a Common Condition?
Is It Just a Restless Night or Is it True Insomnia?
- Difficulty falling asleep.
- Waking up periodically during the night.
- Waking up in the early morning, but not feeling rested.
- Feeling tired and irritable during the day; unable to complete tasks due to drowsiness.
- Having trouble concentrating.
What Causes Insomnia?
If you are not sure what's causing you to toss and turn, your physician can diagnose your cause of insomnia by learning about your sleep habits and patterns, doing a physical exam, and reviewing your symptoms. You may need additional tests, such as an overnight sleep study where your brain waves, breathing pattern and oxygen levels are monitored, and your body movements can be observed. Sleep apnea is often diagnosed by this method.
Is There Any Way to Prevent Insomnia?
What Medications Are Prescribed For Sleep Problems?
Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are included in many OTC treatments, but they may be associated with next-day side effects like sedation, impairment at work and with driving, dry mouth, and dizziness - especially in the elderly.
The Nonbenzodiazepines: Overview
All of these drugs act quickly to decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep; however, they can differ in their length of action, available dosage forms, and costs. All three drugs are now available in generic formulations.
How Do The Nonbenzodiazepines Drugs Work?
GABA slows down brain activity, allowing the mind and body to relax and promotes sleep. Short-term drug treatment of insomnia with nonbenzodiazepines is preferred, using the lowest effective dose of these drugs.
The Nonbenzodiazepines: Adverse Effects
The Nonbenzodiazepines: Zolpidem
Zolpidem Dosing: A Serious Concern
Intermezzo and Edluar: Sublingual Zolpidem
Zolpimist: An Oral Zolpidem Spray
Non-Benzodiazepines: Drug Interactions
First-in-Class Orexin Antagonist: Belsomra
Finished: Insomnia Treatment with Non-Benzodiazepines Ambien, Lunesta & Sonata
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Features. Insufficient Sleep Is a Public Health Epidemic. Updated Jan 13, 2014. Accessed Jan 30, 2014.
- Institute of Medicine. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2006.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MMWR. March 4, 2011. Accessed Jan 28, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm6008.pdf
- Actelion and GSK discontinue clinical development of almorexant. Actelion. com. January 28, 2011. http://www1.actelion.com/en/our-company/news-and-events/index.page?newsId=1483135