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

Current Psychiatry Reports volume 14, pages 494–502 (2012)Cite this article

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.

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Disclosure

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

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Affiliations

  1. The Department of Psychiatry, Georgia Health Sciences University, The Stoney (EG Building), 997 St. Sebastian Way, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA

    W. Vaughn McCall

  2. Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., #2644, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Catherine McCall

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  2. W. Vaughn McCall
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Correspondence to Catherine McCall or W. Vaughn McCall.

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McCall, C., McCall, W.V. What Is the Role of Sedating Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, and Anticonvulsants in the Management of Insomnia?. Curr Psychiatry Rep 14, 494–502 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0302-y

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Keywords

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