Sepracor says sleep drug may help fight depression
Key points
- Sepracor Inc. said on Wednesday that its recently approved Lunesta sleep drug appears to help fight insomnia and depression in patients with both disorders.
- Preliminary results of a late-stage trial of 545 patients with both insomnia and major depression showed that those taking Lunesta and the antidepressant Prozac were less likely to see a worsening of their depression than those taking Prozac plus placebo.
- The company said it appears that based on the preliminary results of the study, the combination of Lunesta and Prozac even improved symptoms of depression.
- Patients treated with Lunesta also saw a statistically significant improvement in the time taken to get to sleep and in their ability to stay asleep.
Sepracor Inc. said on Wednesday that its recently approved Lunesta sleep drug appears to help fight insomnia and depression in patients with both disorders.
Preliminary results of a late-stage trial of 545 patients with both insomnia and major depression showed that those taking Lunesta and the antidepressant Prozac were less likely to see a worsening of their depression than those taking Prozac plus placebo.
The company said it appears that based on the preliminary results of the study, the combination of Lunesta and Prozac even improved symptoms of depression.
Patients treated with Lunesta also saw a statistically significant improvement in the time taken to get to sleep and in their ability to stay asleep.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Mental Health →
NewsDrug Overdose Now Leading Cause of Injury-Related Deaths
Drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States and are now the leading cause of deaths from injury in the United States, a new report shows. Every year, nearly 44,000 people die from drug overdoses.…
19 June 2015
NewsDietary Supplement May Help Treat Cocaine Dependence
The dietary supplement citicoline shows promise in the treatment of cocaine dependence in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), but its benefits appear to decline over time, new research suggests. The results of a…
17 June 2015
NewsInjection Drug Shows Prolonged Effectiveness in Schizophrenia
Monthly injections of paliperidone palmitate showed prolonged efficacy compared with daily oral antipsychotics in a new trial involving a group of schizophrenia patients who rarely participate in clinical research. "A…
