An update of management of insomnia in patients with chronic orofacial pain.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of melatonin receptor agonists, like ramelteon, in the management of insomnia among chronic orofacial pain patients.
Results Summary
The study suggests that melatonin receptor agonists, including ramelteon, are among the FDA-approved pharmacological options for treating insomnia, which can subsequently improve chronic orofacial pain. Non-pharmacological therapies are recommended first, but pharmacological options like ramelteon are considered effective when needed.
Population
Chronic orofacial pain patients with insomnia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
non-pharmacological therapy | neutral | insomnia treatment | patients with insomnia | - | should begin with | #1 |
behavioral therapies for insomnia | neutral | sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, multicomponent behavioral therapy or brief behavioral therapy for insomnia, relaxation strategies, stimulus control, and sleep restriction | patients with insomnia | - | include | #2 |
benzodiazepines (estazolam, flurazepam, temazepam, triazolam, and quazepam) | neutral | insomnia | - | - | approved to treat | #3 |
non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem) | neutral | insomnia | - | - | approved to treat | #4 |
melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon | neutral | insomnia | - | - | approved to treat | #5 |
antidepressant doxepin | neutral | insomnia | - | - | approved to treat | #6 |
orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant | neutral | insomnia | - | - | approved to treat | #7 |
treatment of the underlying insomnia | increase | chronic orofacial pain | chronic orofacial pain patients | - | can greatly improve | #8 |
In this review, we discuss the management of chronic orofacial pain (COFP) patients with insomnia. Diagnostic work-up and follow-up routines of COFP patients should include assessment of sleep problems. Management is based on a multidisciplinary approach, addressing the factors that modulate the pain experience as well as insomnia and including both non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities. Parallel to treatment, patients should receive therapy for comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders, and possible substance abuse that may be that may trigger or worsen the COFP and/or their insomnia. Insomnia treatment should begin with non-pharmacological therapy, to minimize potential side effects, drug interactions, and risk of substance abuse associated with pharmacological therapy. Behavioral therapies for insomnia include the following: sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, multicomponent behavioral therapy or brief behavioral therapy for insomnia, relaxation strategies, stimulus control, and sleep restriction. Approved U.S. Food and Drug Administration medications to treat insomnia include the following: benzodiazepines (estazolam, flurazepam, temazepam, triazolam, and quazepam), non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem), the melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon, the antidepressant doxepin, and the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant. Chronic orofacial pain can greatly improve following treatment of the underlying insomnia, and therefore, re-evaluation of COFP is advised after 1 month of treatment.