Medications for Improving Sleep Quality

Recommended Medications for Insomnia

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends eszopiclone (2-3 mg) for moderate to large improvement in sleep quality, with a mean increase of 28-57 minutes in total sleep time and reduction of 10-14 minutes in wake time after sleep onset 1, 3
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests zolpidem (10 mg) for moderate improvement in sleep quality, increasing total sleep time by 29 minutes and reducing wake time after sleep onset by 25 minutes 1, 2
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends temazepam (15 mg) for small improvement in sleep quality, with a significant increase in total sleep time (mean of 99 minutes) 1, 3
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends suvorexant (10-20 mg) for reducing wake time after sleep onset by 16-28 minutes 1, 2
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests doxepina (3-6 mg) for small to moderate improvement in sleep quality, increasing total sleep time by 26-32 minutes and reducing wake time after sleep onset by 22-23 minutes 1, 3

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not recommend difenidramina (50 mg) as it does not demonstrate improvement in sleep quality compared to placebo 1, 2
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests that melatonina (2 mg) provides only small improvement in sleep quality 1, 3
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not recommend tiagabina (4 mg) as it offers little to no improvement in sleep quality 1, 2
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests that trazodona (50 mg) does not demonstrate improvement in sleep quality compared to placebo, despite reducing time to fall asleep and wake time after sleep onset 1, 4

Risperidona has been shown to improve sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder, reducing sleep latency and nighttime awakenings 5

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine warns that benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics can cause dependence, tolerance, and cognitive effects, especially in older adults 6, 7

For insomnia with sleep maintenance issues (nighttime awakenings): eszopiclone or zolpidem as first-line treatment, and doxepina or suvorexant as second-line treatment 1, 2, 3
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, with medications used as adjuncts when necessary 6, 8