Psychiatria pre prax 6/2005

MODERN PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR INSOMNIA

Insomnia is a most frequent disease. Chronic insomnia is carefully studied in terms of etiology, and, in terms of therapy, classified as secondary if it is concomitant to some other disease, in which case treatment is directed toward the latter, and as primary insomnia. Pharmacotherapy for insomnia is represented mainly by hypnotics (benzodiazepines and hypnotics of the 3rd generation), and by some sedatively acting antidepressants. An overview is presented of some currently applied medicinal products designed to control the condition.

Keywords: insomnia, hypnotics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants.