Tricyclic antidepressants insomnia from

There have been three randomized clinical trials and multiple case reports and open-label trials with the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in PTSD, although only one study of childhood PTSD (Southwick et al., 1994) has been reported. Robert et al. (1999) reported the use of low-dose imipramine (1 mg/kg) to treat symptoms of ASD in children with burn injuries. In this study, 25 children ages 2 to 19 years were randomized to receive either chloral hydrate or imipramine for 7 days. Ten of 12 subjects receiving imipramine experienced from half to full remission of ASD symptoms, whereas 5 of 13 subjects responded to chloral hydrate. Sleep-related flashbacks and insomnia appeared to be particularly responsive to treatment. 

A range of medications is available to treat insomnia, ranging from herbal preparations such as valerian to the recently introduced z compounds, zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon. Many drugs used for other primary purposes have sedative and sleep-inducing properties as side effects these include many tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamines. 

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