Ramelteon: a new approach to managing insomnia

Abstract

Ramelteon is a novel melatonergic receptor agonist that represents a new and effective approach to sleep promotion in insomnia. By acting specifically on the melatonin MT₁ and MT₂ receptors, ramelteon decreases latency to persistent sleep and increases total sleep time without causing sedation. Ramelteon has a good profile, with no next-day residual effects, no rebound insomnia or withdrawal, minimal clinically meaningful disruption of sleep architecture, no memory impairment, no evidence of abuse potential and no acute effects on psychomotor function.

Keywords: :

• chronic insomnia
• circadian rhythm
• depression
• melatonin-receptor agonist
• ramelteon
• sleep promotor
• sleep–wake

Financial & competing interests disclosure

I Ebrahim has acted as a consultant for Takeda and has received an unrestricted educational grant. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Editorial Assistance was provided by Takeda in the drafting of this article.