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Ramelteon: a novel hypnotic lacking abuse liability and sedative adverse effects
Matthew W Johnson1, Patricia E Suess, Roland R Griffiths
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Archives of General Psychiatry
|October 4, 2006
Summary
Ramelteon, a melatonin receptor agonist, showed no potential for abuse or impairment, unlike triazolam. This suggests ramelteon may be a safer alternative for insomnia treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Sleep Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Ramelteon is a selective MT1/MT2 melatonin receptor agonist for insomnia.
- Approved insomnia drugs often carry risks of abuse and impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the abuse potential, subjective effects, and impairment of ramelteon versus triazolam.
- Evaluate ramelteon's safety profile in individuals with a history of sedative abuse.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, crossover study involving 14 adults with sedative abuse history.
- Participants received oral ramelteon (16-160 mg), triazolam (0.25-0.75 mg), or placebo.
- Assessed subjective effects, abuse potential, and motor/cognitive performance over 24 hours.
Main Results:
- Ramelteon did not significantly affect subjective measures, including abuse potential, at doses up to 160 mg.
- No observer-rated or performance impairments were observed with ramelteon.
- Triazolam demonstrated dose-related sedative effects and abuse liability.
Conclusions:
- Ramelteon showed no evidence of abuse potential or impairment, even at supratherapeutic doses.
- Ramelteon may offer a safer alternative to traditional sedative-hypnotics for insomnia.
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