title: Non-Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists for Insomnia.
abstract: Because of proven efficacy, reduced side effects, and less concern about addiction, non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists (non-BzRA) have become the most commonly prescribed hypnotic agents to treat onset and maintenance insomnia. First-line treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy. When pharmacologic treatment is indicated, non-BzRA are first-line agents for the short-term and long-term management of transient and chronic insomnia related to adjustment, psychophysiologic, primary, and secondary causation. In this article, the benefits and risks of non-BzRA are reviewed, and the selection of a hypnotic agent is defined, based on efficacy, pharmacologic profile, and adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas, 5477 Glen Lakes Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75231, USA. Electronic address: pbecker@sleepmed.com.
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas, 5477 Glen Lakes Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75231, USA.
authors.forename: Manya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Somiah
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives
keywords: BZRA; Insomnia; Non–benzodiazepine receptor agonists; Z-drugs