Drug Treatment of Sleep Disorders

Antonio Guglietta

Following reviews on sleep physiology, regulation, pharmacology, and the neuronal networks regulating sleep and awakening, as well as a classification of sleep disorders, this book presents a number of major breakthroughs in the treatment of those disorders. These include recently approved drugs for treating insomnia, such as Doxepin; variations on previously approved molecules, e.g. Zolpidem sublingual preparation; or new chemical entities in advanced stages of clinical development, e.g. Orexin antagonists. Further topics discussed include drugs acting on the GABA receptor, such as Lorediplon and Eszopiclone; the treatment of excessive daytime drowsiness with cell therapy and drugs such as Modafinil, Armodafinil and Sodium oxybate; and the use of Tasimelteon in the treatment of circadian sleep disorders.