Sleep (cont.)
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
In this Article
- What is sleep?
- What are the stages of sleep?
- How much sleep does a person need?
- Does the amount of sleep we need change as we age?
- What are signs and symptoms of sleep deprivation?
- What are and what causes sleep disorders?
- How are sleep problems diagnosed?
- How are sleep problems treated?
- Sleep hygiene
- Other therapies
- Sleep aids (prescription and OTC)
- Are sleep problems and disease related?
- How can I get a good night's sleep?
- Sleep FAQs
- Find a local Sleep Specialist in your town
Sleep aids (prescription and OTC)
Medications can be of value in treating some types of sleep disorders. However, since sedating medications typically have the potential for addiction and abuse, their use must be carefully supervised by a health care practitioner. Among the types of prescription drugs that have been prescribed for specific sleep disorders include:
- Benzodiazepines, such as
triazolam (Halcion),
temazepam (Restoril), and
lorazepam (Ativan)
- Newer, non-benzodiazepine sedative drugs:
zaleplon (Sonata),
zolpidem
(Ambien or Ambien CR, Zolpimist), and
eszopiclone (Lunesta).
- Ramelteon (Rozerem), an insomnia drug that acts by mimicking the action of
melatonin (see below)
- Antidepressant medications have been used to treat insomnia in people who
may also suffer from depression. Examples are
trazodone (Desyrel),
amitriptyline
(Elavil, Endep), and doxepin (Sinequan, Adapin).
- A number of prescription drugs have been used to treat restless legs
syndrome, including carbidopa-levodopa, opioids (such as
propoxyphene [Darvon,
Darvon-N, Dolene]) or
tramadol (Ultram) for intermittent symptoms,
carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol),
clonazepam (Klonopin),
diazepam (Valium, Diastat),
triazolam (Halcion),
temazepam (Restoril),
baclofen, bromocriptine,
clonidine (Catapres, Catapres-TTS, Jenloga),
gabapentin
(Neurontin), ropinirole (Requip) and
pramipexole (Mirapex).
- In sleep apnea and other sleep disorders in which airway obstruction is a problem, topical nasal decongestants may provide some relief. However, many clinicians warn people with sleep apnea never to use sleeping pills or medications that are sedative as the person could be prevented from waking enough to stimulate breathing, which could lead to brain damage or sudden death.
OTC sleep medications are sometimes used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. These include the sedating antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). However, this is not a recommended use of these or other similar drugs due to their many side effects and the possibility of long-term drowsiness the following day.
Learn more about: Benadryl
Melatonin, a chemical released from the brain which induces sleep, has been tried in supplement form and promoted as a natural sleep remedy for treatment of insomnia. But studies have shown that it has been generally ineffective in treating common types of insomnia, except in specific situations in patients with known low levels of melatonin.
Dental appliances and CPAP devices (continuous positive airway pressure; a device worn over the face that holds the airway open by maintaining constant air pressure) have been effective in the management of sleep-related breathing disorders, including sleep apnea.
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