Oxford scientists have found out which insomnia remedies really help

In the new researchComparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis Scientists from the University of Oxford studied more than a hundred clinical trials of various insomnia drugs. Comprehensive comparative analysis has shown that many of them lack evidence of effectiveness or long-term safety data.

The study included data from 154 double-blind randomized controlled trials involving more than 44,000 people. Thirty different pharmacological treatments for insomnia were studied, and their effectiveness and side effects were monitored, including long-term use.

According to the results of the work done, highlighted only two specific agents that demonstrate the greatest effectiveness: lemborexant and eszopiclone. The more common treatments for insomnia, such as benzodiazepines and zolpidem, are only helpful in the short term. And the popular melatonin lacks data on efficacy and long-term use.

At the same time, the researchers noted that eszopiclone can cause serious side effects, and data on the safety of lemborexant are still inconclusive. Both products are not yet approved in the European Union.

Lemborexant is a new type of insomnia drug approved for use in the United States only in 2019. Philip Cowan, co-author of the study, noted that the mechanism of action of this drug could be improved in the future.

Andrea Cipriani, head of the research team, noted that this is a study of pharmacological treatments is not a recommendation to use the drug as the main way to deal with insomnia. Some of them can have serious side effects, and this should not be forgotten.