Non-Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists for Insomnia

Philip M Becker; Manya Somiah

doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2014.11.002

Non-Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists for Insomnia

Sleep Med Clin. 2015 Mar;10(1):57-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2014.11.002. Epub 2014 Dec 20.

Authors

Philip M Becker¹, Manya Somiah²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas, 5477 Glen Lakes Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75231, USA. Electronic address: pbecker@sleepmed.com.
² Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas, 5477 Glen Lakes Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75231, USA.

PMID: 26055674
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2014.11.002

Abstract

Because of proven efficacy, reduced side effects, and less concern about addiction, non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists (non-BzRA) have become the most commonly prescribed hypnotic agents to treat onset and maintenance insomnia. First-line treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy. When pharmacologic treatment is indicated, non-BzRA are first-line agents for the short-term and long-term management of transient and chronic insomnia related to adjustment, psychophysiologic, primary, and secondary causation. In this article, the benefits and risks of non-BzRA are reviewed, and the selection of a hypnotic agent is defined, based on efficacy, pharmacologic profile, and adverse events.

Keywords: BZRA; Insomnia; Non–benzodiazepine receptor agonists; Z-drugs.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects
Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use*
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / drug therapy*

Substances

Hypnotics and Sedatives