Sleep Flashcards
Insomnia
difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or nonrestorative sleep
most common sleep disorder
Transient insomnia duration
several days
Short-term insomnia duration
less than 3 months
Chronic insomnia duration
at least 3 nights / week for at least 3 months
Common drugs that can cause insomnia
Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine
Anticholinergics
SSRIs/SNRIs
Alpha blockers
Beta blockers
ACE & ARBs
cholinesterase inhibitors
bronchodilators
CNS stimulants
corticosteroids
decongestants
diuretics
H2RAs
statins
opioids
Treatment of Transient Insomnia
- treatment with adequate bedtime doses of BZDRAs for 2-3 weeks
choice of agent is patient specific
Treatment of Short-Term insomnia
Goal: treatment plan that will result in normal sleep with no meds
- correct underlying sleep complaint
- good sleep hygiene
- sleep diary
- treatment with adequate bedtime doses of BZDRAs for 2-3 weeks which may be followed by
– reduction of dose for 2-3 weeks
– QOD dosing for 2-3 weeks
– PRN supply
Treatment of Long-Term Insomnia
- proper diagnosis of medical/psychiatric cause
- CBT
- if rapid improvement is needed -> CBT + meds
BZDRAs (Benzos)
- Estazolam (ProSom)
- Fluazepam (Dalmane)
- Quazepam (Doral)
- Temazepam (Restoril)
- Triazolam (Halcion)
BBW: concurrent opioid use -> sedation / resp depression, risk of dependence
CI: sleep apnea, substance abuse
BZDRAs (Z drugs)
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
Zaleplon (Sonata)
Zolpidem (Ambien)
BZDRA class effects
- caution in elderly (inc AUC)
- drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, falls
- avoid use with alcohol
- withdrawal sx upon discontinuation
Estazolam (ProSom)
Use: sleep onset + maintenance insomnia
CI: pregnancy, itraconazole, ketoconazole
ADE: hypokinesia
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
Z drug
Use: sleep onset + maintenance insomnia (better for maintenance)
ADE: HA, dysgeusia (taste disorder), anxiety, xerostomia, infection GI upset
Food = delayed onset
Zaleplon (Sonata)
Z drug
Use: sleep onset insomnia
ADE: HA, nausea, abdominal pain
high fat meal = delayed absorption
ultra short acting, rapid onset
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Z drug
Use: Sleep maintenance (ER tablet), Sleep onset (IR tab/spray, ER tablet), trouble returning to sleep (SL tablet)
CI: hepatic impairment
ADE: HA, nausea
Trazodone
Use: Off label sleep maintenance
- useful in pats with Hx of substance abuse / depression
ADE: carryover sedation, alpha adrenergic blockade, orthostasis (caution in elderly)
BBW: suicidal thoughts and actions
1st Gen antihistamines
Agents: Diphenhydramine, doxylamine
OTC option for mild insomnia
ADE: anticholinergic effects, avoid in elderly, tolerance develops quickly
Suvorexant (Belsomra)
Use: sleep onset + maintenance
ADE: drowsiness, dizziness, HA, sleep paralysis, abnormal dreams, URTI
CI: narcolepsy
Onset of action : < 30 min
Lemborexant (DayVigo)
Use: sleep onset + maintenance
ADE: next day drowsiness, fall risk, HA, complex sleep behaviors, nightmares
CI: narcolepsy
Onset of action: < 30 min
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Use: sleep onset
ADE: HA, dizziness somnolence
CI: fluvoxamine
Onset of action: 30 min
approved for long term use
not as effective in patients who have already trialed a BZDRA
Melatonin
dose of 3-5 mg in the evening over 4 weeks
Use: sleep onset, shift work, jet lag
CI: autoimmune conditions, Alzheimer’s
Doxepin
TCA
Use: sleep maintenance
BBW: suicidality
Do not take within 3 hrs of a meal (next day sleepiness)
Insomnia pharmacotherapy in the Elderly
- CBT
- Ramelteon
- Eszopiclone
- Zolpidem
- low dose doxepin
Insomnia pharmacotherapy in Pregnancy
- diphenhydramine
- doxylamine
- low dose doxepin