Drug Therapy for Insomnia (Workman &
LaCharity: Understanding Pharmacology:
Essentials for Medication Safety, 2nd Edition
Chapter 28: Drug Therapy for Insomnia - Q&A Review
Chapter 28 Fundamentals
1. What is the primary goal of drug therapy for insomnia?
The primary goal is to improve the quality and/or duration of sleep while ensuring
the patient's safety. It is crucial to remember that for most patients, pharmacologic
therapy should be a short-term adjunct to non-drug interventions (sleep hygiene).
2. Differentiate between "sleep onset" and "sleep maintenance" insomnia.
• Sleep Onset Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the
night.
• Sleep Maintenance Insomnia: Difficulty staying asleep, characterized by
frequent awakenings or waking up too early and being unable to return to
sleep.
Medication Classes & Mechanisms
3. Which two major classes of prescription sedative-hypnotic drugs act by
enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA?
The two classes are:
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., temazepam, triazolam)
• Non-Benzodiazepines ("Z-drugs," e.g., zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone)
4. How do Benzodiazepines and Non-Benzodiazepine "Z-drugs" differ in
their receptor specificity?
LaCharity: Understanding Pharmacology:
Essentials for Medication Safety, 2nd Edition
Chapter 28: Drug Therapy for Insomnia - Q&A Review
Chapter 28 Fundamentals
1. What is the primary goal of drug therapy for insomnia?
The primary goal is to improve the quality and/or duration of sleep while ensuring
the patient's safety. It is crucial to remember that for most patients, pharmacologic
therapy should be a short-term adjunct to non-drug interventions (sleep hygiene).
2. Differentiate between "sleep onset" and "sleep maintenance" insomnia.
• Sleep Onset Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the
night.
• Sleep Maintenance Insomnia: Difficulty staying asleep, characterized by
frequent awakenings or waking up too early and being unable to return to
sleep.
Medication Classes & Mechanisms
3. Which two major classes of prescription sedative-hypnotic drugs act by
enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA?
The two classes are:
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., temazepam, triazolam)
• Non-Benzodiazepines ("Z-drugs," e.g., zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone)
4. How do Benzodiazepines and Non-Benzodiazepine "Z-drugs" differ in
their receptor specificity?
