A Better Drug for Insomnia

Most of the drugs we use for insomnia have a rebound effect; so that when you stop using them you really can't sleep. Although we try to prescribe these drugs to be used intermittently, many patients end up taking them every night.

This is unfortunate, since not only do they become addicted, but the pills don't work as well in the long run. Most of the drugs we use have a similar mode of effect to valium, one of the original sedatives.

Now, a new medication has been developed which is a orexin receptor antagonist. The orexin receptor is thought o be the body's way of putting us to sleep.

In preliminary studies it seems to work well, without rebound or addictive potential. Only time will tell. The generic name is Suvorexant. If it is effective it may be a new step in the treatment of insomnia.