Sleep problems are quite common and about 10% of the population suffers from chronic insomnia. Up to 50% have significant insomnia at some time in their lives. It is therefore not surprising that many types of remedies exist, not all of them pharmaceutical. From sleepy-time teas, to fall-asleep alarm clocks with slow dimming lights and music, to sound machines producing soothing sounds, to earplugs and snoring aids, and special mattresses and pillows with space age materials. All these attest to the fact that insomnia is a common problem and truly an unmet medical need. Many classes of drugs are used to treat insomnia and often a trial and error process is needed to find the right combination for a particular person. At other times, doctors try to treat an associated anxiety or depression, which is seen as a cause of the insomnia. Drugs commonly used for insomnia include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, imidazopyridines (eg. zoldipem or Ambien), chloral hydrate, meprobamate, antihistamines, and others. All have side-effects that limit their usefulness, but new treatments are in the pipeline that could expand the treatment options dramatically….
