Insomnia Pharmacotherapies: Pharmacodynamics, Strategies, New Directions, and Key Measures in Clinical Trials

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Insomnia remains a common clinical challenge for which a wide variety of substances and medications have been tried by individuals and recommended by health professionals. This chapter reviews the diagnosis of insomnia disorder and guidelines regarding the use of hypnotic medications. Four broad categories of insomnia pharmacotherapy are discussed: (1) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications indicated for insomnia treatment, (2) FDA-approved medications indicated for alternate disorders but prescribed “off label” specifically for insomnia symptoms, (3) over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine sleep aids, and (4) dietary supplement sleep aids. Key pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of medications commonly prescribed for insomnia are reviewed. The chapter concludes with discussions of the basic elements of clinical trial investigations for insomnia medications and a review of investigational compounds and pharmacological strategies for possible future hypnotic medications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationHandbook of Behavioral Neuroscience
PublisherElsevier B.V.
Pages639-648
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Publication series

NameHandbook of Behavioral Neuroscience
Volume30
ISSN (Print)1569-7339

Keywords

  • Clinical trial
  • Dietary supplement
  • Hypnotic
  • Insomnia
  • Investigational medication
  • Over-the-counter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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