Once a diagnosis has been made, the guidelines state that physicians should establish a tailored treatment plan that includes a sleep medication classified as a benzodiazepine-receptor agonist, such as zaleplon. In particular, the guidelines note that this medication does not cause the side effects associated with older medications, such as dependence and next-day residual effects. These concerns can be eliminated by combining newer medications with careful monitoring by a physician. In addition to Dr. Roth, the authors include Goran Hajak, M.D., Ph.D., Georg-August Universitat, Germany, and T. Bedirhan Ustun, M.D., Ph.D., World Health Organization, Switzerland. Insomnia affects more than 84 million Americans, and is characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining refreshing, restorative sleep.
Insomnia is associated with dramatic impairments of psychosocial function and quality of life.
In particular, people with insomnia report poorer physical and mental well-being, including higher levels of depression and anxiety. When compared with those who do not report sleep problems, people with insomnia report significant alterations in their concentration, memory, ability to accomplish daily tasks, and enjoyment of interpersonal relationships. In addition, people with insomnia generally have more medical complaints, and seek medical care more often than people without insomnia. Any question regarding a medical diagnosis, treatment, referral, drug availability or pricing should be directed to either a licensed physician or to the product's manufacturer.