The Use of Sleeping Pills in Medicine and the Relevance of Their Improvement

Abstract

Although there is evidence to support the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals in treating chronic insomnia, there is continuous discussion on how long these drugs should be used. A clinical evaluation of the use of insomnia drugs in relation to the data bolstering the focal statement, "No insomnia medication should be used on a daily basis for durations longer than 3 weeks at a time," was carried out by a panel of sleep specialists. The panelists' evaluation was also contrasted with results from a nationwide survey of psychiatrists, sleep specialists, and practicing doctors. Regarding the suitability of utilizing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to treat insomnia that lasts longer than three weeks, survey participants expressed a wide variety of viewpoints. Following a review of the literature, the panel came to the unanimous conclusion that some classes of insomnia drugs, including hypnotics and non-benzodiazepines, have been proven to be safe and effective for long-term use in the right therapeutic setting. The FDA label for doxepin, ramelteon, eszopiclone, and the more recent class of dual orexin receptor antagonists does not state that their use should be restricted. Practice recommendations for the duration of pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia should therefore take into account an assessment of the data demonstrating the long-term safety and effectiveness of more recent non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.