According to CNN, approximately 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders that consistently prevent them getting adequate nightly rest. Insomnia, the most common of these, "can increase the risk for depression and suicidal thoughts, lower work productivity and even raise blood pressure." Tranquilizers can induce sleep but do not address any underlying causes. In recent years, more antidepressants than tranquilizers have been prescribed for patients suffering from insomnia. However, the National Institutes of Health states that there is currently "insufficient evidence" that these antidepressants effectively treat insomnia. Drugs' effectiveness in treating other sleep disorders is also debatable.
Insomnia
According to the National Institutes of Health, tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes prescribed in low doses to "help promote restorative sleep in people with fibromyalgia." Some of the same drugs are used for insomnia. Tricyclic antidepressants include amitriptyline hydrochloride (sold as Elavil or Endep), doxepin (Adapin or Sinequan), cyclobenzaprine (Cycloflex, Flexeril or Flexiban) and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor). The Mayo Clinic lists additional antidepressants sometimes used with insomnia for their "sedative effect," including trazodone (Desyrel) and mirtazapine (Remeron).
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is another common sleep disorder. However, it is generally treated with a sleeping mask or, more rarely, surgery. Sedatives can actually worsen the condition, and antidepressants are intended to treat a condition that has nothing to do with sleep apnea. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drugs used to treat sleep apnea "have not been very beneficial except for specific situations... [such as] accompanying disorders."
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
According to the Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalopathy Society, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, which often precludes full and refreshing sleep, can benefit from tricyclic antidepressants, which "will help restore normal sleep phases and body rhythms."
Prescription Practices
The Cleveland Clinic stresses that all drug prescriptions for sleep disorders should be short-term, "should begin with the lowest possible effective dose" and should also be prescribed in combination with other therapies.
Cautions
Tricyclic antibiotics should not be taken during pregnancy. The treating physician must check for interactions with any other medications the patient is currently taking.
Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health, tricyclic antidepressants can be accompanied by side effects, including drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, reduced sex drive in both men and women and difficulties with urination. They are non-addictive, however.
