Pharmacotherapy of Sleep Disorders

Question 1

What is the brand name of zolpidem?

Answer 1

Ambien

Question 2

Eszopiclone is sold under the brand name ___________.

Answer 2

Lunesta

Question 3

True or false: both benzodiazepines and zolpidem bind to the alpha-1 subunit.

Answer 3

True, but the Z drugs bind only to the alpha-1 subunit while benzodiazepines bind to alpha-1 to alpha-5.

Question 4

Why would you be wary prescribing a daily dose of flurazepam?

Answer 4

Flurazepam has the longest half life; thus, regular doses can accumulate –particularly in the elderly.

Question 5

Which drug is best for middle-of-the-night awakenings?

Answer 5

Zolpidem

Question 6

Ramelteon is best for ______________.

Answer 6

problems with sleep onset

Question 7

_____________ plays a key role in maintaining wakefulness throughout the day. Lack of it leads to narcolepsy.

Answer 7

Orexin

Question 8

What is the mechanism of suvorexant?

Answer 8

It is an orexin receptor antagonist.

Question 9

True or false: it is ok to chronically treat insomnia with antihistamines.

Answer 9

False.

Question 10

One of the reasons the Z drugs are superior to benzodiazepines is that Z drugs have no effect on ____________, while benzodiazepines are known to decrease all three.

Answer 10

stages 3, 4, and REM sleep

Question 11

The best Z drug for problems with sleep onset is _____________.

Answer 11

zaleplon (“to help with your zaleplONSET”)

Question 12

Why is triazolam prescribed more often than the other benzodiazepines in the treatment of insomnia?

Answer 12

Because it has a very short half-life (2.5 hours)

Question 13

True or false: ramelteon is a controlled substance.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Doxylamine is an __________________.

Answer 14

antihistamine