Drug class | Examples | Bottom line |
Nonprescription medications |
Antihistamines | - First-generation drugs – Diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, chlorpheniramine
- Second- and third-generation drugs (less sedating) – Fexofenadine and loratadine
| Consider for short-term situational and/or occasional use in younger children, especially those with comorbid atopic disease. |
Melatonin | - Many over-the-counter preparations
| Most appropriately used in patients with circadian phase delay. It is also a reasonable choice for children with sleep-onset insomnia who may need long-term pharmacotherapy, including those with ASD or ADHD. |
Prescription insomnia drugs |
Benzodiazepines | - Triazolam, estazolam, temazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam
| Limited utility in pediatric populations; other properties (eg, anxiolytic, long duration of action) may be useful in some patients. |
Nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists | - Eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem
| Lack of documented efficacy and sleep-related behavior side effects limit utility, except in older adolescents. |
Drugs with limited pediatric experience |
| - Ramelteon (synthetic melatonin receptor agonist)
- Suvorexant (orexin receptor antagonist)
- Doxepin (tricyclic antidepressant; selective histamine receptor agonist)
| Ramelteon may be a reasonable choice for mild sleep-onset insomnia, especially with circadian component, but cost and lack of insurance coverage limits use. |
Drugs used off-label for insomnia |
Alpha-adrenergic agonists | | These agents are commonly prescribed for childhood insomnia. Although there are few data to support this use, clinical experience suggests they are generally effective and well tolerated in ADHD. |
Antidepressants | - Tricyclic antidepressants with sedating effects – Amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine
- Atypical antidepressants – Mirtazapine, trazodone
- SSRIs with sedating effects – Fluvoxamine, paroxetine, citalopram
| Likely most useful in the setting of comorbid mood disorders and/or anxiety; little evidence to support the use of trazadone as drug of choice within this class*. |