Hypnotics with novel modes of action. Issue 2 (17th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoyer, Daniel; Allen, Andrew; Jacobson, Laura H.
• Is Part Of: British journal of clinical pharmacology. Volume 86:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 249
• Publication Date: 2020-01-17
• Subjects: benzodiazepines -- insomnia -- melatonin -- orexin receptor antagonists -- suvorexant -- Z drugs; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-5251

Abstract

Abstract : Insomnia and, more generally, lack of sleep are on the rise. Traditionally treated by classical hypnotics, such as benzodiazepines and Z drugs, which both act on the GABAA receptor, and other modalities, including nondrug therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, there is a range of new hypnotics which are being developed or have recently received market approval. Suvorexant and the like target the orexin/hypocretin system: they should have less side effects in terms of drug–drug interactions with e.g. alcohol, less memory impairment and dependence potential compared to classical hypnotics.