Ramelteon (Rozerem® and generic) is a melatonin receptor agonist that is used as a hypnotic. Here is basic information about this medication.
FDA-approved indications
Treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset
Pharmacological effects
Comapared to melatonin, ramelteon has six times more affinity for melatonin receptors 1 (MT1) and three times more affinity for melatonin receptors 2 (MT2; Miyamoto, 2009).
Dosage
Adults: 8 mg taken within 30 minutes of going to bed
Instructions
a) Do not take with or after a high-fat meal
b) Do not exceed 8 mg/day
Dosage forms and strengths
Tablet: 8 mg
Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.
Related Pages
Practical tips on using hypnotics: the Z drugs
Practical tips on using hypnotics: benzodiazepines
Relaxation Practice: A Simple and Powerful Tool for Anxiety, Tension, and Insomnia
Three important pieces of information about benzodiazepines
Sleep Hygiene worksheets-Part 1 and Part 2
Sleep log: Ten important questions about the person’s sleep
References
Ramelteon (Rozerem®) Prescribing Information
Miyamoto M. Pharmacology of ramelteon, a selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist: a novel therapeutic drug for sleep disorders. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2009 Winter;15(1):32-51. Review. PubMed PMID: 19228178; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2871175.
Last revised January 2019
Copyright 2016 to 2019, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
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