Pharmacotherapy of insomnia.

Sleep disturbance is often the result of specific pathophysiologies of sleep or of psychiatric illness. When this is the case, specific treatment of these conditions is indicated. When such disorders are not found, hypnotics often play a useful role, particularly as adjunctive treatment while the patient receives behaviorally-oriented therapy. Considerations in choosing a hypnotic should include issues of residual daytime effects, special problems of the elderly, interaction with alcohol, dependence, and effects on respiration.