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Sleep medications
medication Under reviewSleep medications are a broad group of prescription and over‑the‑counter drugs used to help people fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, or improve overall sleep continuity. Major prescription classes include benzodiazepine hypnotics (such as temazepam), non‑benzodiazepine "Z‑drugs" that act on GABA-A receptors (such as zolpidem and eszopiclone), melatonin receptor agonists (such as ramelteon), low‑dose sedating antidepressants (such as doxepin), and dual orexin receptor antagonists (such as suvorexant, lemborexant, and daridorexant). Over‑the‑counter options commonly include sedating antihistamines like diphenhydramine and doxylamine, as well as melatonin supplements.
Research summary
Across healthy and otherwise uncomplicated adults with insomnia, randomized controlled trials and meta‑analyses show that many prescription sleep medications can modestly reduce sleep onset latency and increase total sleep time over short treatment periods of one to four weeks. Newer agents such as ramelteon, low‑dose doxepin, and dual orexin receptor antagonists have demonstrated sustained efficacy and generally acceptable safety in longer trials up to three to six months, including in older adults, with low rates of tolerance, rebound insomnia, or withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. In contrast, traditional benzodiazepine hypnotics and sedating antihistamines tend to provide smaller benefits on sleep while contributing to next‑day sedation, falls, cognitive impairment, and other adverse outcomes, particularly in older adults.
Reported Benefits
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Health and Economic Effects of Reducing Hypnotic Use in Older Adults
Hanke SH, Lakdawalla DN, Goldman DP, Joyce GF
Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Diphenhydramine and Doxylamine as Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids in Healthy Adults
Morin CM, Koetter U, Bastien C, Ware JC, Wooten V
Comparative efficacy and safety of hypnotics for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Glass J, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N, Sproule BA, Busto UE
No reports yet
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Health and Economic Effects of Reducing Hypnotic Use in Older Adults
Hanke SH, Lakdawalla DN, Goldman DP, Joyce GF
Comparative efficacy and safety of hypnotics for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Glass J, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N, Sproule BA, Busto UE
No reports yet
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Add Sleep medications to your stack to report effects
Comparative efficacy and safety of hypnotics for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Glass J, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N, Sproule BA, Busto UE
Reported Side Effects
No reports yet
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Daridorexant in Adults with Insomnia Disorder: Efficacy and Safety in a 3-Month Randomized Controlled Trial and Discontinuation Study
Mignot E, Mayleben D, Fietze I, Leger D, Zammit G, Bassetti CL, Seboek Kinter D, Roth T
No reports yet
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Add Sleep medications to your stack to report effects
Daridorexant in Adults with Insomnia Disorder: Efficacy and Safety in a 3-Month Randomized Controlled Trial and Discontinuation Study
Mignot E, Mayleben D, Fietze I, Leger D, Zammit G, Bassetti CL, Seboek Kinter D, Roth T
No reports yet
Be the first to report this effect and help the community.
Add Sleep medications to your stack to report effects
Daridorexant in Adults with Insomnia Disorder: Efficacy and Safety in a 3-Month Randomized Controlled Trial and Discontinuation Study
Mignot E, Mayleben D, Fietze I, Leger D, Zammit G, Bassetti CL, Seboek Kinter D, Roth T
Related health conditions
Research showing how this habit affects specific health conditions. Always consult healthcare professionals.
May Help With
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early
Comparative efficacy and safety of hypnotics for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Glass J, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N, Sproule BA, Busto UE
Health and Economic Effects of Reducing Hypnotic Use in Older Adults
Hanke SH, Lakdawalla DN, Goldman DP, Joyce GF
Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Diphenhydramine and Doxylamine as Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids in Healthy Adults
Morin CM, Koetter U, Bastien C, Ware JC, Wooten V
May Worsen
Major depressive disorder or persistent depressive symptoms
Daridorexant in Adults with Insomnia Disorder: Efficacy and Safety in a 3-Month Randomized Controlled Trial and Discontinuation Study
Mignot E, Mayleben D, Fietze I, Leger D, Zammit G, Bassetti CL, Seboek Kinter D, Roth T
Research (4 studies)
Health and Economic Effects of Reducing Hypnotic Use in Older Adults
Hanke SH, Lakdawalla DN, Goldman DP, Joyce GF
Daridorexant in Adults with Insomnia Disorder: Efficacy and Safety in a 3-Month Randomized Controlled Trial and Discontinuation Study
Mignot E, Mayleben D, Fietze I, Leger D, Zammit G, Bassetti CL, Seboek Kinter D, Roth T
Comparative efficacy and safety of hypnotics for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Glass J, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N, Sproule BA, Busto UE
Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Diphenhydramine and Doxylamine as Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids in Healthy Adults
Morin CM, Koetter U, Bastien C, Ware JC, Wooten V
Community updates
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