Searching for new options for treating insomnia: are melatonin and ramelteon beneficial?
Author(s): Bellon A Affiliation(s): Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 6555 Travis, Houston, TX 77030, USA. alfredobellon@yahoo.com Publication date & source: 2006-07, J Psychiatr Pract., 12(4):229-43. Publication type: Review Insomnia is one of the most common complaints faced in clinical practice. The limited pharmacological options available make the treatment of this complaint a challenge. All of the available benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics have the potential to induce addiction, cause withdrawal symptoms, or trigger rebound insomnia. Further, the evidence supporting the utility of commonly prescribed options such as antidepressants and antipsychotics is limited. Melatonin is a hormone that has been associated with soporific effects. Based on this premise, a melatonin receptor agonist was created. Ramelteon was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005 and is the only medication indicated for the long
