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Sleeping Pills and Their Mechanisms of Action

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Sleeping Pills and Their Mechanisms of Action

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of many sleeping pills?

Stimulating the release of orexin
Modulating serotonin and histamine levels
Blocking the activity of wake-promoting neurotransmitters
Enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (correct)

What is the effect of benzodiazepines on GABAergic transmission?

They enhance the activity of GABA by binding to specific GABA-A receptor sites (correct)
They block the activity of orexin receptors
They modulate the activity of serotonin and histamine
They decrease the inhibitory effects of GABA

What is the purpose of using benzodiazepines for insomnia?

To modulate serotonin and histamine levels
To treat chronic insomnia
To manage short-term insomnia due to their rapid onset of action and efficacy in inducing sleep (correct)
To stimulate the release of orexin

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for promoting wakefulness?

Orexin (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of sleeping pills on neurotransmitter systems?

They can alter neurotransmitter levels or receptor activity to promote sleep (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, such as zolpidem, compared to benzodiazepines?

They have a more selective action on GABA-A receptors (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of medication is particularly useful for promoting sleep onset in individuals with circadian rhythm disorders?

Melatonin receptor agonists (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of using antihistamines as sleeping pills?

They can cause residual daytime sedation and cognitive impairment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of prolonged use of sleeping pills, particularly benzodiazepines and certain non-benzodiazepine hypnotics?

Tolerance and dependence (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended approach to sleep management, according to guidelines for the use of sleeping pills?

Using non-pharmacological approaches, such as CBT-I, as a first-line treatment (A) Signup and view all the answers