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Current Psychiatry Reports

, Volume 14, Issue 5, pp 494–502 | Cite as

What Is the Role of Sedating Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, and Anticonvulsants in the Management of Insomnia?

  • Catherine McCallEmail author
  • W. Vaughn McCallEmail author
Sleep Disorders (MJ Sateia, Section Editor)
First Online:

Abstract

Psychiatric medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants are commonly prescribed by physicians for the off-label use of improving sleep. Reasons for preferential prescription of these medications over FDA-approved insomnia drugs may include a desire to treat concurrent sleep problems and psychiatric illness with a single medication, and/or an attempt to avoid hypnotic drugs due to their publicized side effects. However, there have been few large studies demonstrating the efficacy and safety of most off-label medications prescribed to treat insomnia. In addition, many of these medications have significant known side effect profiles themselves. Here we review the pertinent research studies published in recent years on antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anticonvulsant medications frequently prescribed for sleep difficulties. Although there have been few large-scale studies for most of these medications, some may be appropriate in the treatment of sleep issues in specific well-defined populations.

Keywords

Sleep disorders Insomnia Comorbid insomnia Slow wave sleep SWS Off-label Antidepressants Antipsychotics Anticonvulsants Hypnotics Psychiatry 
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Notes

Disclosure

C. McCall: none; W. V. McCall: consultant for Sunovion.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.The Department of PsychiatryGeorgia Health Sciences UniversityAugustaUSA
  2. 2.Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUSA

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