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Considerations regarding nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists for sleep in children

Considerations regarding nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists for sleep in children
Pros Cons
  • Preparations available for either sleep-onset insomnia or sleep-maintenance insomnia
  • Little effect on sleep architecture: Some SWS suppression
  • Generally well tolerated (unpleasant taste, headache, anterograde amnesia, daytime drowsiness)
  • Some preparations have limitations on duration of use 
  • Alternative formulations available (sublingual, oral spray)
  • Little empirical evidence of efficacy in children
  • Uncommon but significant side effects
    • Hallucinations
    • Complex sleep-related behaviors (eg, sleepwalking or sleep driving)*
  • Abrupt withdrawal with prolonged use (>2 weeks) may be associated with rebound
Bottom line – Lack of documented efficacy and sleep-related behavior side effects limit utility except in older adolescents.
SWS: slow-wave sleep.
* These complex sleep-related behaviors may result in serious injury and, in some cases, fatalities. These medications are contraindicated for any patient who has an episode of complex sleep-related behavior, whether or not it is triggered by the medication.
Courtesy of Judith A Owens, MD, MPH.
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