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FDA-approved medications for the treatment of insomnia (hypnotics)

Here is a list of all medications, alphabetically arranged) that are FDA-approved for the treatment of insomnia as of March 2019. Their brand names, if any, are in parentheses.


Prescription medications for insomnia

Note that the prescription medications FDA-approved for the treatment of insomnia (listed below) include (in no particular order):

  1. Benzodiazepines (estazolam, flurazepam, quazepam, temazepam, triazolam)
  2. The so-called “Z drugs” (eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem)
  3. A tricyclic antidepressant (doxepin)
  4. Melatonin receptor agonists (ramelteon, tasimelteon),
  5. An orexin receptor antagonist (suvorexant), and
  6. Barbiturates (butabarbital, secobarbital).

Butabarbital (Butisol®)

Doxepin (Silenor®)

Estazolam

Eszopiclone (Lunesta®)

Flurazepam

Quazepam (Doral®)

Ramelteon (Rozerem®)

Secobarbital (Seconal®)

Suvorexant (Belsomra®)

Tasimelteon (Hetlioz®)

Temazepam (Restoril)

Triazolam (Halcion®)

Zaleplon (Sonata®)

Zolpidem (Ambien®, Ambien CR®)

Zolpidem oral spray (Zolpimist®)

Zolpidem sublingual (Edluar®, Intermezzo®)


Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for insomnia

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)

Doxylamine (Unisom®)


Related Pages

FDA-indications for hypnotic medications

Practical tips on using hypnotics: Benzodiazepines

Temazepam (Restoril®): Basic Information

Practical tips on using hypnotics: the Z drugs

Hypnotic if waking up in the middle of the night?

Eszopiclone (Lunesta®): Basic Information

Zolpidem (Ambien® and Ambien CR®): Basic Information

Zaleplon (Sonata®): Basic Information

Non-addictive sleep medications

Best hypnotics in elderly patients?

Hypnotics to avoid in the elderly (older adults)

Which hypnotics to use or avoid in persons with sleep apnea

Does melatonin work for insomnia?

Low-dose preparations of melatonin

Which brand and preparation of melatonin to recommend?

What are the potential side effects of melatonin?

Can melatonin increase blood sugar?

Doxepin (Silenor®): Basic Information

Pros and cons of ramelteon (Rozerem) as a hypnotic

Ramelteon (Rozerem®): Basic Information

Suvorexant (Belsomra®): Basic Information

What are the BEST books on each topic related to psychiatry/ mental health?


References

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm101557.htm


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Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

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