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Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

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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...
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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...
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Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

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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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Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

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Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
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Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

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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...
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Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
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Quetiapine for primary insomnia: Consider the risks.

Vania Modesto-Lowe1, Agata K Harabasz2, Sophia A Walker3

  • 1University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT; Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT; Connecticut Valley Hospital, Middletown, CT vania.modesto-lowe@ct.gov.

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
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Quetiapine (Seroquel) is often used off-label for insomnia, but evidence is limited. This antipsychotic carries risks like weight gain and metabolic issues, requiring careful monitoring for side effects and potential abuse.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Clinical Psychiatry

Background:

  • Off-label use of quetiapine (Seroquel) for insomnia is rising in the general population.
  • Patients may seek alternatives to standard insomnia medications due to concerns about addiction and side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the evidence supporting the off-label use of quetiapine for insomnia.
  • To highlight the potential risks and necessary precautions associated with this practice.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on quetiapine for insomnia.
  • Analysis of reported adverse effects and metabolic consequences.

Main Results:

  • Scant evidence supports the efficacy of quetiapine for treating insomnia.
  • Quetiapine is associated with significant risks, including weight gain and metabolic disturbances.

Conclusions:

  • The use of quetiapine for insomnia lacks robust supporting evidence.
  • Cautious administration and vigilant monitoring for adverse effects and abuse potential are essential when prescribing quetiapine for off-label indications like insomnia.