Die Wirksamkeit, Sicherheit und Effektivität der pharmakologischen Therapie insomnischer
Beschwerden wurde in den letzten 20 Jahren vielerseits diskutiert. Im vorliegenden
Artikel werden auf der Basis publizierter Metaanalysen die verschiedenen Behandlungsoptionen
bestehend aus Benzodiazepin-Rezeptor-Agonisten, sedierenden Antidepressiva, Melatonin
und alternativen Pharmakotherapien sowie kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischen Interventionen
dargestellt und verglichen. Bis auf wenige Ausnahmen liegen bisher keine Langzeitstudien
vor. Als gesichert scheint, dass die Benzodiazepin-Rezeptor-Agonisten in der Kurzzeitbehandlung
der Insomnie zweifellos effektiv sind und sedierende Antidepressiva mittlerweile einen
festen Platz in der Behandlung der chronischen Form einnehmen. Trotzdem sind weiterhin
Langzeituntersuchungen notwendig, um zu belegen, dass diese pharmakologischen Substanzen
langfristig effektiv und gut verträglich sind.
In the last 20 years efficacy, effectiveness and safety of the different drugs to
treat chronic insomnia has been discussed extensively. Based on meta-analyses of the
relevant literature an overview on the pharmacotherapy of insomnia and a comparison
to cognitive behavioral therapy is given. Pharmacological options are benzodiazepine
receptor agonists, sedating antidepressants, melatonin, and alternative pharmacotherapies,
like herbal agents. The literature review shows that there are actually only a few
long-term studies designed over months. It seems to be established that in short-term
treatment benzodiazepine receptor agonists are clearly efficacious and it is obvious
that sedating antidepressants have become almost ”mainstream” for the treatment of
chronic insomnia. However, it is still absolutely necessary to test whether these
substances are effective also in the long-term and are not harmful for the patients
in the long run.
Key words
Insomnia - pharmacotherapy - benzodiazepine receptor agonists - sedating antidepressants
- melatonin
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Korrespondenz
Dr. John Peter Doerr
Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universitätsklinik Freiburg
Hauptstr. 5
79104 Freiburg
Email: John-Peter.Doerr@uniklinik-freiburg.de