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Article: Ramelteon: A novel melatonin receptor agonist for the treatment of insomnia
- Article from:
- Formulary
- Article date:
- May 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Advanstar Communications, Inc. May 2005. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract
Ramelteon (Takeda Pharmaceuticals) is a selective melatonin receptor agonist awaiting FDA approval for the treatment of insomnia. Unlike the currently prescribed hypnotic agents that work by targeting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, ramelteon offers a novel mechanism of action, specifically targeting the MT^sub 1^ and MT^sub 2^ receptors in the brain, which are thought to play a role in regulating sedation and circadian rhythms. Ramelteon is characterized by undergoing extensive first-pass metabolism along with having high oral bioavailability. Results of phase 2 clinical trials have demonstrated that ramelteon-treated patients had significantly shorter sleep onset ...