Chronic Insomnia Is the Most Prevalent Sleep Disorder, Affecting an Estimated 10%-16% of the Adult Population, with an Additional

CHRONIC INSOMNIA IS THE MOST PREVALENT SLEEP DISORDER, AFFECTING AN ESTIMATED 10%-16% OF THE ADULT POPULATION, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 25% TO 35% having transient or occasional insomnia.1-3 Primary insomnia is estimated to have a prevalence of 1% to 2% in the general population, but accounts for as much as 25% of all chronic insomnia cases seen in clinical contexts.4 Insomnia generally does not resolve spontaneously and tends to be chronic in nature, with 83% of patients with chronic disorders and insomnia reporting continuing problems with insomnia at a 2-year followup period.5 Pharmacotherapy is the predominant treatment among medical practitioners for insomnia management primarily because of availability. The most commonly used pharmacologic agents approved for the treatment of insomnia include zolpidem, temazepam, and eszopiclone. These agents all have a similar mechanism of action, acting on the benzodiazepine receptor of the gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) complex. This class of agents has been associated with side-effects such as daytime sedation, motor incoordination, cognitive impairment, and related concerns about increases in the risk of motor vehicle accidents and injuries from falls.6-8 These agents have also been associated with the potential for abuse and dependence in at-risk populations,9 which led the Efficacy and Safety of Doxepin 1 mg, 3 mg, and 6 mg in Adults with Primary Insomnia