Chronic Insomnia Treatment: CBT-I First-Line Guide
CBT-I outperforms sleep medication long-term, with 70-80% of patients reaching normal sleep. Learn diagnosis criteria and when to rule out sleep apnea first.
Sleep Medicine
18 source-based articles maintained by the HealthRX.com Editorial Team.
18articles
5topic areas covered
Jul 14, 2025latest review
Sleep Medicine library
Showing 18 of 18 clinical reviews.
DORAs vs. Z-Drugs vs. Other Sleep Medications: A Direct Clinical Comparison
A comparison of dual orexin receptor antagonists (suvorexant, lemborexant), Z-drugs (zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon), trazodone, ramelteon, and melatonin for chronic insomnia. Covers efficacy data, abuse potential, next-day impairment, and who should get what.
Doxepin vs Zolpidem for Sleep-Maintenance Insomnia
Doxepin targets H1 receptors to help you stay asleep, while zolpidem acts faster on GABA to help you fall asleep. See which matches your insomnia type.
Eszopiclone (Lunesta): Dosing, Side Effects, and How It Compares to Zolpidem, Zaleplon, and Suvorexant
A guide to eszopiclone (Lunesta): FDA-approved doses, mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, and head-to-head comparisons with zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), suvorexant (Belsomra), and melatonin.
How Much Melatonin Is Too Much? Safe Dose Limits
Effective doses run 0.5-3 mg nightly; 10 mg is the clinical upper limit with no added benefit. Learn overdose signs and safer alternatives.
Insurance Coverage for Newer DORAs: What You'll Actually Pay in 2025
A guide to insurance coverage for dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) like suvorexant and lemborexant, including cost breakdowns, prior authorization requirements, and step-therapy protocols.
Lemborexant vs Daridorexant: Dosing and Trial Data Compared
Lemborexant (5-10mg) cut sleep-onset latency by 22 minutes vs placebo in SUNRISE-2, with no next-morning driving impairment and low dependence risk.
Magnesium Glycinate for Sleep: Does It Actually Work?
Studies show 320-500mg at bedtime modestly improves sleep quality in 4-8 weeks, cutting insomnia scores by about 3 points. Not a sedative.
Melatonin vs Ramelteon: Which Sleep Aid Is Right for You?
A clinical comparison of melatonin and ramelteon for insomnia, including dosing, mechanism, safety, and how they stack up against Ambien, Lunesta, trazodone, mirtazapine, Belsomra, and CPAP therapy.
Mirtazapine for Sleep: Dosing, Evidence, and How It Compares to Zolpidem, Eszopiclone, and Melatonin
A guide to using mirtazapine for sleep: how it works, what doses are used off-label, trial data, and a head-to-head comparison with zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, and melatonin.
Modafinil and Armodafinil: Uses, Doses, Side Effects, and How They Compare to Sleep Aids
A guide to modafinil and armodafinil covering FDA-approved indications, dosing, pharmacokinetics, side effects, drug interactions, and how these wakefulness agents compare to zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, and melatonin.
Narcolepsy Type 1 vs Type 2: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Learn how narcolepsy type 1 and type 2 differ in symptoms, CSF hypocretin levels, diagnosis criteria, and FDA-approved treatments including sodium oxybate and pitolisant.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Treatment Options
PLMD treatment starts with dopamine agonists like pramipexole or ropinirole, plus iron repletion if ferritin is under 75 ng/mL. See diagnostic criteria.
Prescription Melatonin: OTC in US, Rx Abroad
Melatonin is OTC in the US but prescription-only in the EU, UK, Canada, and Australia. Effective dose is 0.5-3mg, far below typical 5-10mg supplements.
Quetiapine for Sleep: Does It Work, Is It Safe, and What Are the Alternatives?
A clinical deep-dive into off-label quetiapine (Seroquel) for insomnia: how it works, what the evidence shows, safety risks at low doses, and how it compares to melatonin, zolpidem, eszopiclone, and zaleplon.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Symptoms & Treatment
RBD causes people to act out dreams during REM sleep. Learn why it's often an early sign of neurodegenerative disease and how it's diagnosed and treated.
Trazodone for Sleep: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects
Trazodone treats insomnia off-label at 25-150mg before bed, easing sedation without dependence risk; typical start dose is 25-50mg, effects begin in 30-60 minutes.
Zaleplon vs Trazodone for Sleep: Dosing and Effectiveness
Trazodone (25-100mg, off-label) isn't controlled like zaleplon and carries less dependence risk, but has a smaller insomnia trial base.