The medications listed on this website are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not guarantee that they will be prescribed to any individual, as treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of healthcare providers. This list is not exhaustive, and healthcare providers may prescribe other medications, including non-stimulant options, based on the patient's unique health circumstances and needs.
Rozerem is a sedative-hypnotic drug approved by the
Doctors usually prescribe Rozerem for sleep to help patients fall asleep faster. If you got this medication prescribed, you might be interested in how exactly it works and what effects you can expect. All this is explained below.
See an EZCare doctor online to receive insomnia medication that will work best for you.
Rozerem Uses
While Rozerem (ramelteon) is FDA-approved for insomnia treatment, it can also be used to treat other disorders. For instance, it can reduce the occurrence of delirium in hospitalized patients.
Furthermore, insomnia may frequently be associated with an underlying psychiatric condition, such as anxiety, which can exacerbate symptoms. In such cases, it is essential to address the underlying condition, usually by using anti-anxiety medications. However, you can’t use Rozerem for anxiety, it may be beneficial as an additional intervention for insomnia, particularly in the short term.
How Does Rozerem Work?
To understand the mechanism of action of this drug, we have to review some bodily processes associated with sleep and the important hormone melatonin.
Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally secreted by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness, helping your body prepare for sleep. When there’s light in the morning, the body stops producing melatonin to allow you to wake up. Melatonin binds to MT1 and MT2 receptors to help your body relax. MT1 receptors promote sleep, while MT2 receptors control the circadian rhythm. It is involved in regulating the
When the body fails to produce enough melatonin, physicians prescribe melatonin supplements or melatonin receptor agonist drugs. Rozerem mimics the effects of this hormone being a melatonin receptor agonist. It also binds to
Is Rozerem a Controlled Substance?
After a series of tests on Ramelteon, scientists didn’t find withdrawal signs in humans once the doctors discontinued the drug. So, unlike other prescribed sleep medicine, the FDA didn’t designate Rozerem as a Schedule IV controlled substance. Therefore, Rozerem isn’t a controlled substance.
EZCare doctors will examine your symptoms and health history to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Rozerem Dosage
Rozerem medication is available as an 8 mg tablet. Although it isn’t habit-forming like many other sleeping pills, patients should not take more than a single 8 mg pill each day. It is important to stick to the doctor’s prescription and instructions. Also, ensure you take Rozerem within 30 mins of going to bed, and be ready to sleep for 7-8 hours after taking it.
Additionally, you shouldn’t consume ramelteon with food, especially meals with high-fat content, which slows down the time the body takes to absorb it.
Rozerem Side Effects
Although Rozerem has fewer side effects than most sleep medications, some of them may still occur. Some common side effects disappear with time as your body gets used to the drug. These include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Increased insomnia
In some patients, ramelteon can have severe side effects that warrant immediate medical attention. Severe ramelteon side effects are:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swollen throat or tongue
- Hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and worsening depression
- Sleep driving
- Nipple discharge
- Decreased sexual desire
- Missed menstrual period
- Fertility problems
Whether you experience severe or mild side effects of Rozerem, ensure you inform your doctor. This way, your physician monitors your body’s reaction and guides you on whether to continue or discontinue your Rozerem dosage.
Rozerem vs. Ambien
- Ambien (zolpidem) is another sedative-hypnotic drug used for short-term treatment of insomnia in adults (up to 4 weeks) while Rozerem can be prescribed for up to 6 months in some cases.
- Rozerem regulates the sleep-wake cycle by targeting melatonin receptors, while Ambien works by calming your brain through the neurotransmitter GABA.
- Rozerem helps with difficulty falling asleep, whereas Ambien is effective for both falling and staying asleep.
- Rozerem is only available as a tablet while Ambien is available as both a tablet and spray.
- Unlike Rozerem, Ambien is a habit-forming drug. It can cause drug dependency and lead to abuse, and therefore it is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
- Rozerem has fewer side effects than Ambien and doesn’t cause rebound insomnia when you quit it.
In Closing
Rozerem and its generic drug ramelteon work well to treat sleep onset insomnia. Unlike other sleep medications, Rozerem doesn’t cause dependency and abuse in patients. To know more about effective medications for insomnia and get a prescription for a medicine that will work best for you, book an appointment with EZCare doctors today.
Sources
- Ramelteon for the treatment of insomnia. (2006)
Source link - Light, melatonin and the sleep-wake cycle. (1994)
Source link - Pharmacology of Ramelteon, a Selective MT1/MT2 Receptor Agonist: A Novel Therapeutic Drug for Sleep Disorders. (2009)
Source link
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