Pharmacologic approaches for the treatment of chronic insomnia.
Insomnia is a common problem that for many sufferers persists chronically and may result from a wide range of causes. Specific treatments address particular underlying medical disorders. General therapeutic approaches, including pharmacologic and behavioral strategies, may have broad applicability to insomnia patients. Many different medications and substances have been used in an attempt to improve sleep. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of medications and other substances employed to promote improved sleep. Special emphasis is given to the use of the newer-generation benzodiazepine receptor agonist hypnotics.
Neubauer
David N
DN
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. neubauer@jhmi.edu
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008419:Materia Medica; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008419:Materia Medica; C476499:herbal compound 861