: 
10 Things Your Primary Care Doctor Does That Should Make You Run for the Hills
Sign In >>
Dr Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California San Diego and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
FAST FACTS
Move over Ambien, there is a new kid in town for the treatment of insomnia. A medication used for sleep, Eplivanserin, is in clinical trials and appears to be performing well. Eplivanserin has a very cool mechanism and works differently than Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta.
How does it work? Eplivanserin is the furthest along in development of a new nonsedating drug class known as ASTARs, or Antagonists of Serotonin Two-A Receptors to take over a chunk of the insomnia market now dominated by Ambien (Zolpidem). As many of you know Ambien, Sonata and Lunesta are considered "atypical benzodiazepines" and act on the gamma receptors. There has always been some concern over these existing insomnia medications that they are potentially addictive because of their similarities to benzodiazepines (ativan, valium, klonopin, xanax, etc) and this newer class of drugs may alleviate those fears. In investigational studies Eplivanserin improves sleep continuity in patients with chronic insomnia without causing next-day drowsiness or rebound insomnia upon discontinuation. What's the Evidence? In a trial involving 351 adults with chronic insomnia who took either 4 weeks of 5 mg Eplivanserin or placebo in the evening, results showed reduction in nighttime awakenings with patients reporting a more refreshing quality of sleep. The side effect profile of Eplivanserin was the same as placebo (which is good) except for dry mouth which was reported in 5.3% of patients on 5 mg/day of Eplivanserin. The ASTAR was not associated with any next-morning drowsiness or difficulty in concentration. Nor did rebound insomnia occur in the week after discontinuing 4 weeks of Eplivanserin. Approval is pending in Europe early 2009, watch for it in the U.S. soon after. Thoughts? Dr O.
Previous:
Bottled water: Clean or Dirty?
CATEGORIES:
News
CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES:
Alcoholism
•
Anxiety
•
Bereavement
•
Breakups & Divorce
•
Chronic Pain
•
College Stress
•
Depression
•
Endometriosis
•
Fibromyalgia
•
Food Addiction
•
Hypothyroidism
•
Insomnia
•
Menopause
•
Migraine Headaches
•
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
•
Seasonal Affective Disorder
•
Sleep Apnea
Displaying comments 26-7 of 26
Got a Question?
If you did want to switch to another medication, would there be a problem? might be kind of scary since the one you are on is working. Why would there be difficult times if you went off it, if it only stays in you body for 8 hrs?
Kathy - California
It is the PAIN that keeps me awake.
Lillian
I saw what sleeping pills did to my Mother and personally it scares me to try what is available due to the side affects and there addictive nature. I may try what asilin commented about, the natural product named Sleep Tonight. Thanks for the tip :)
http://www.vitality101.com/store/p...
Prior to using it I was only getting 3-4 hrs of sleep, now I am getting 6-7 hrs of consecutive sleep.
My question regarding this medication is.. does it mix well with SSRI's? How about other medications?
I take GRAVOL that leaves me a little drowsy in the morning but a cup of coffee will wake you up.
Interesting topic but I tend to stay away from prescription drugs for sleeping as they can become addictive.
Would like to hear Dr O's response to natural sleep aids without any side effects...hopefully Dr O can assist all of us.....many thanks
I take GRAVOL that leaves me a little drowsy in the morning but a cup of coffee will wake you up.
Interesting topic but I tend to stay away from prescription drugs for sleeping as they can become addictive.
Would like to hear Dr O's response to natural sleep aids without any side effects...hopefully Dr O can assist all of us.....many thanks