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Related Concept Videos

Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
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CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A key...

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Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
04:34

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia

Published on: February 17, 2023

Zolpidem for insomnia.

David J Greenblatt1, Thomas Roth

  • 1Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA. dj.greenblatt@tufts.edu

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|March 20, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Zolpidem effectively reduces sleep onset time for insomnia patients. While generally safe and non-habit-forming at approved doses, its effects on sleep maintenance vary, with new formulations offering improved treatment options.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Zolpidem, an imidazopyridine derivative, functions as a benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor agonist.
  • It is the most frequently prescribed hypnotic medication in the United States.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the comprehensive profile of zolpidem.
  • To evaluate its efficacy, safety, and therapeutic applications in managing insomnia.

Main Methods:

  • Review of neuroreceptor properties.
  • Analysis of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  • Examination of drug interactions, adverse effects, and dependence potential.
  • Assessment of efficacy in treating insomnia and related sleep disturbances.

Main Results:

  • Approved zolpidem doses consistently shorten sleep latency and increase sleep duration.
  • Sleep maintenance benefits are less consistent.
  • Residual daytime effects are minimal with recommended doses and adequate washout periods.
  • Hypnotic efficacy remains stable with repeated use, and rebound insomnia risk is low.

Conclusions:

  • Zolpidem is effective for reducing sleep latency in insomnia patients.
  • New dosage forms enhance therapeutic options for various insomnia types.
  • Dependence and abuse risks are comparable to traditional benzodiazepines.