Dr. Suzanne Bertisch discusses the most commonly used medications for sleep.

Below is a list of medications that are either approved by the FDA or are commonly used for the treatment of insomnia. Medications are most appropriate for short-term insomnia (i.e., several days or a few weeks) that has been triggered by an emotional or physical event. They should be used under the supervision of a clinician.

Medications for Insomnia

References

  1. Baldwin, David S., et al. "Benzodiazepines: risks and benefits. A reconsideration." Journal of psychopharmacology 27.11 (2013): 967-971.
  2. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Boxed Warning for Risk of Serious Injuries Caused by Sleepwalking.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA.
  3. Ward, Curt R. "Ramelteon (Rozerem) for insomnia." American Family Physician 73.8 (2006): 1437.
  4. Emet, Mucahit, et al. "A review of melatonin, its receptors and drugs." The Eurasian journal of medicine 48.2 (2016): 135.
  5. Rosenberg, Russell, et al. "Comparison of Lemborexant with placebo and zolpidem tartrate extended release for the treatment of older adults with insomnia disorder: a phase 3 randomized clinical trial." JAMA network open 2.12 (2019): e1918254-e1918254.
  6. "Product Information. Belsomra (Suvorexant)." Merck Inc, Kenilworth, NJ.
  7. "Product Information. Dayvigo (Lemborexant)." Eisai Inc, Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
  8. Hajek, Goran, et al. "Doxepin in the treatment of primary insomnia: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, polysomnographic study." The Journal of clinical psychiatry 62.6 (2001): 453-463.
  9. Yi, Xiao-yan, et al. "Trazodone for the treatment of insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials." Sleep medicine 45 (2018): 25-32.
  10. Quetiapine. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698019.html.
  11. Diphenhydramine. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682539.html.
  12. Doxylamine. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682537.html.
  13. Acetaminophen. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a681004.html.

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This content was last reviewed on October 1, 2021.
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