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    Drugs Today (Barc). 2006 Apr;42(4):255-63.

    Ramelteon: profile of a new sleep-promoting medication.

    Owen RT.

    Medical Information Department, Prous Science, Barcelona, Spain. journals@prous.com

    To date the mainstay of the pharmacological treatment of insomnia has involved the modulation of the gabaminergic system via benzodiazepines or the Z-drugs, zolpidem, zopiclone or zaleplon. A new approach has explored the melatoninergic system, namely activation of MT1 and MT2 receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Ramelteon (TAK-375) is a novel sleep-promoting agent that acts as an agonist at these receptors; its preclinical pharmacology, mode of action, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, clinical efficacy, and safety and tolerability are reviewed here. Copyright (c) 2006 Prous Science. All rights reserved.

    PMID: 16703122 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Zolpidem (Ambien®, Ambien CR®)

      Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Zolpidem belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.

    • Zaleplon (Sonata®)

      Zaleplon is used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep). Zaleplon does not help you to stay asleep longer or decrease the number of times that you awaken during the night. Zaleplon is in a class of medications cal...

    • Ramelteon (Rozerem®)

      Ramelteon is used to help patients who have sleep-onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) fall asleep more quickly. Ramelteon is in a class of medications called melatonin receptor agonists. It works similarly to mela...