Insomnia: Therapeutic approach

Insomnia is a common complaint. Transient and short-term insomnias usually result from stress or the use of certain pharmaceuticals or drugs and may b e managed by reduced caffeine use, behavioral means, and/or pharmacologic t reatment. Long-term insomnia is often a symptom of a medical or psychiatric condition or a primary sleep disorder. A diagnostic workup is expected; tr eatment should focus on the causative condition, as well as addressing the sleep problem itself. Established medications for the symptomatic treatment of insomnia include benzodiazepines, zolpidem, zaleplon, and certain antid epressant or occasionally antihistaminic drugs.