Insomnia Medication

Stimulants, such as Methylphenidate or Modafinil, enhance the effect of the hormones Norepinephrine and Dopamine produced by our body. They have an alerting effect on the brain and generate a positive mood. The side-effects are: loss of appetite, stomach ache, vomiting, dizziness, perspiration, allergic skin reaction. Stimulants can not be prescribed to drug addicts.

The name for Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptylin, Doxepin, Mianserin), derives from its molecular structure. It has a long-lasting positive and tranquillizing effect on the psyche. Side-effects are a dry mouth, nausea, headache, constipation, impaired vision, sleep disturbance.

Hypnotics (sleeping pills) wind the body down and account for an undisturbed rest; they are however no cure for a sleep disturbance. Hypnotics are divided into following categories:

• Benzodiazepines are strong relaxants and tranquillizers and are also used against anxiety-attacks. Depending on the type of sleep disturbance different kinds of drugs, varying in their dosage, are applied. (e.g. Midazolam, Lorazepam, Diazepam). Benzodiazepines do not have a lot of side-effects, it is however highly addictive.
• There are some new Pharmaceuticals on the market which effects are similar to that of Benzodiazepines, but have a different molecular structure. Patients taking these new drugs reported no serious side-effects. In some cases breathing difficulties and blood-circulation problems occurred.
• Depressive Disorders are usually treated with Antidepressiva, such as Amitriptylin, Doxepin or Mianserin, which are also known for their long-lasting positive and relaxing effect on the body. Antidepressiva cannot be used as an acute medication, since its positive effect on the body only enfolds after a couple of weeks. The downside of this drug is the bodies' eventual adaptation after a longer period of intake. Side-effects are a dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, impaired vision, a low blood-pressure; Mianserin in particular is known for eventually disrupting the formation of the white blood-cells. (Agranulocytosis).
• Antipsychotics are actually prescribed to patients suffering from delusional disorders or hallucination, but in the case of sleep disturbance a mild dosage of Antipsychotics, such as Promazine Levomepromazine or Chlorprothixene have a calming and depressant effect on the mind. Side-effects are a dry mouth, blood-circulation problems, perspiration, shivering and in the long run even permanent muscular disorders.
• H1 antagonists are commonly used to treat allergies, but in the form of Diphenhydramine or Doxylamine they have a delayed but long-lasting relaxing effect on the body. Side-effects are a dry mouth, constipation, discomfort while urinating, drowsiness or confusion.
• Chloral hydrate is a strong Traquillizer, which is rarely prescribed due to its poisonous side-effects on the inner organs and the mucous membrane.
• Clinics employ Clomethiazole in cases of acute delirium. As an addictive drug Clomethiazole is however not suitable for an ambulant treatment.
• Herbal preparations have a mild effect on the body and side-effects are rare. They are non-prescriptive. Valerian, hop, melissa and kava have proven to be effective in the treatment of sleep disturbance.
• Levodopa is a pro-drug to Dopamin (neurotransmitter). It is part of the Parkinson-Treatment, but it also has a strong and fast effect on the Restless Legs Syndrome. On the other hand this effect is only short-lasting and an adverse drug reaction is possible. It is therefore only applied temporarily.
• Dopamine agonists surrogate the brain-transmitter Dopamin. It successfully relieves the Restless Legs Syndrome. Dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, low blood-pressure, moving disorders, hallucinations and an increased libido are typical side-effects.