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A SMART Approach to Evaluating the Benefits of Common Prescription and OTC Medications for Insomnia
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the relative effectiveness, safety, and durability of the most commonly used prescription (zolpidem, trazodone) and over-the-counter (OTC) (melatonin, diphenhydramine) medications for insomnia, as well as a less commonly used prescription that may have a better risk/benefit profile (doxepin).
Official title: Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Comparing Commonly Prescribed and Over the Counter Medications for the Treatment of Insomnia in Adults
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
1200
Start Date
2026-05-01
Completion Date
2032-01-01
Last Updated
2026-06-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Sleep Hygiene Education
Standard behavioral and environmental recommendations aimed at promoting healthy sleep
Melatonin IR, 3 mg
Immediate release formulation of melatonin, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Melatonin IR, 5 mg
Immediate release formulation of melatonin, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Diphenhydramine, 25 mg
Diphenhydramine 25 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed. Note: Given the strong recommendation against the use of diphenhydramine in older adults (i.e., the Beers Criteria), participants ≥64 years of age will not be randomized to the diphenhydramine arm.
Diphenhydramine, 50 mg
Diphenhydramine, 50 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed. Note: Given the strong recommendation against the use of diphenhydramine in older adults (i.e., the Beers Criteria), participants ≥64 years of age will not be randomized to the diphenhydramine arm.
Doxepin, 3 mg
Doxepin, 3 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Doxepin, 6 mg
Doxepin, 6 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Trazodone, 50 mg
Trazodone, 50 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Trazodone, 100 mg
Trazodone, 100 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Placebo
Placebo, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Zolpidem, 5 mg
Zolpidem, 5 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Zolpidem, 10 mg
Zolpidem, 10 mg, once nightly 30 minutes prior to bed
Locations (1)
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States