Insomnia drug approved for extended use

Circadin (melatonin) can now be prescribed for up to 13 weeks. It was previously approved only as a 3-week course of treatment.

The 2mg prolonged-release tablet is indicated as monotherapy for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia characterised by poor quality of sleep in patients aged 55 or over.

In a study in this setting, a subgroup of patients aged between 65 and 80 years fell asleep significantly more quickly following treatment with prolonged-release melatonin for up to 26 weeks, than after receiving placebo.

View Circadin drug record

Further information: Lundbeck