Resumen

TORALES, Julio. What every internist should know about the pharmacological management of insomnia. Rev. virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int. [online]. 2016, vol.3, n.2, pp.101-111. ISSN 2312-3893.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rvspmi/2312-3893/2016.03(02)101-111.

It is estimated that 30% of adults suffer from insomnia and that up to 10% of them do so chronically for months or years. Individuals with insomnia have a higher risk of developing depression or other psychiatric disorders, they are more frequently absent from work and have a lower quality of life. Also, insomnia accompanies many medical conditions such as rheumatic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Treatment of insomnia is based first on the suspension of habits that prolong insomnia, sleep hygiene measures and implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The drugs available for the management of insomnia are non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, benzodiazepines, some sedating antidepressants and also antipsychotics. Melatonin is a valid option in older adults. Given that sleeping represents about a third of the life of the human being, it is essential that all doctors are trained to provide, if necessary, pharmacological therapeutic approaches that could cope with insomnia. This will be very helpful to prevent patients from suffering significant discomfort and protect their physical, psychological and behavioral health.

Palabras clave : Sleep onset and maintenance disorders; hypnotics and sedatives; benzodiazepines; antidepressant; antipsychotics.

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