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Related Concept Videos

Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

357
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...
357
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

299
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...
299
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

212
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...
212
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

877
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...
877
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

736
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...
736
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

461
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...
461

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

Becky X Lou1, Margarita Oks2

  • 1Northwell Sleep Medicine Fellowship, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine-Northwell, 410 Lakeville Road, Suite 107, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA.

Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|July 2, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Insomnia in the elderly causes significant problems. Newer medications like dual orexin receptor antagonists offer a safer alternative to older hypnotics, reducing risks for geriatric patients.

Keywords:
Adverse effectsElderlyGeriatricsInsomniaPharmacology

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Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Insomnia is a prevalent issue in geriatric patients, leading to substantial clinical and economic burdens.
  • Treating insomnia in the elderly is complex due to potential adverse effects and drug interactions associated with traditional hypnotics.
  • Benzodiazepines and "Z" drugs pose significant risks in older adults, including falls, injuries, and increased mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the challenges and risks of treating insomnia in the elderly.
  • To explore newer therapeutic options for geriatric insomnia.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on hypnotic medications used in the elderly.
  • Analysis of adverse effect profiles and drug interaction risks.
  • Comparison of traditional hypnotics with newer drug classes.

Main Results:

  • Traditional hypnotics (benzodiazepines, "Z" drugs) are associated with high risks in the elderly.
  • Adverse effects include falls, injuries, and increased mortality.
  • Newer hypnotics demonstrate better tolerability.

Conclusions:

  • Dual orexin receptor antagonists represent a promising and better-tolerated treatment option for insomnia in geriatric patients.
  • Further exploration of newer hypnotics is warranted for safe and effective management of insomnia in the elderly.