Pharmacological Treatments
There are many potential medication treatments for the various sleep disorders. These would include any prescription or non-prescription drugs. In general, these treatments may involve short- versus long-acting agents. They may be used to prevent the onset of symptoms or to treat the symptoms once they develop.
Depending on the nature of the disorder, one might be prescribed sedatives (in the case of insomnia) or stimulants (in the case of narcolepsy or sleep apnea). Other medications targeting the specific underlying cause of the disorder may also be used. Most of these agents require a prescription. Over-the-counter medications may also be recommended, such as melatonin in the treatment of circadian rhythm disorders and jet lag.
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