insomnia

AASM: Guidelines for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Insomnia

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released new guidelines for the pharmacologic treatment of insomnia in adults. The guidelines are the first from the organization to focus on evidence regarding the effectiveness of individual drugs for treating sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia.

Recommendations were based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, and graded according to the strength of the evidence. Fourteen specific recommendations for individual options, including prescription and over-the-counter agents and dietary supplements commonly used to treat insomnia in adults were provided.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Insomnia May Increase the Risk of Asthma in Adults 
Study: Lower Dose of Insomnia Medication More Effective
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Among the recommendations:

  • Suvorexant is recommended for sleep maintenance insomnia (weak recommendation).
  • Melatonin is not recommended for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia (weak recommendation).
  • Triazolam is recommended for the treatment of sleep onset insomnia (weak recommendation).
  • Valerian is not recommended as treatment for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia (weak recommendation).
  • Ramelteon is recommended as treatment for sleep onset insomnia (weak recommendation).

“The ultimate judgment regarding propriety of any specific care must be made by the clinician in light of the individual circumstances presented by the patient, available diagnostic tools, accessible treatment options, and resources,” the guidelines stated.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Sateia MJ, Buysse DJ, Krystal AD, Neubauer DN, and Heald JL. Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(2):307–349.