RESUMO
Insomnia is one of the most commonly occurring sleep disorders worldwide.1 With increased prevalence of insomnia the demand of the people seeking pharmacological treatment for this disease is continuously increasing. Numerous options are currently available for its treatment and with our increased understanding of the neurophysiological factors involved in the insomnia continuous research is being conducted to seek newer pharmacological treatments. Recent advancement in treatment of insomnia is the introduction of non-benzodiazepine hypnotic medications such as zaleplon, zolpidem, and eszopiclone. Ramelteon, a melatonin agonist, is also helpful for sleep initiation diffi culties. Tri-cyclic antidepressants have long been used for insomnia but use has been limited by unwanted anticholinergic side-effects. A hypocretin/orexin antagonist MK-4035 is presently in clinical trials. Serotonin antagonists and inverse agonists are being investigated for their usefulness in insomnia; newer research examining other mechanisms of action suggest that agents which modulate the histaminergic, serotonergic, melontonergic, and hypocretin/ orexin and perhaps gamma-aminobutyric acid B systems could play a promising role in management of insomnia
RESUMO
Background: The effect of the calcium channel blockers on the cardiovascular system is implemented judiciously in different conditions related to cardiovascular system such as angina pectoris, hypertension, and in cardiac arrhythmias but the aspect that deals with the impact of blockade of calcium channels in other systems like endocrine system remains eclipsed. These effects generally go unnoticed and the present study was formulated to elucidate the serum T3, T4, TSH levels after administration of calcium channel blockers and to observe the resultant side effect on the endocrine glands, if any by this commonly used group of drugs. Methods: The study was conducted on male albino rabbits, they were divided in three groups of ten each and each group received one of the calcium channel blockers- Verapamil, Diltiazem and Nifedipine for three months. At the end of each month the serum T3, T4, TSH levels were evaluated by chemiluminisence. Results: It was found that on continuous daily administration of calcium channel blockers there was a gradual fall in levels of T3 and T4 with rise in TSH levels in comparison to the control value taken before initiating the drug therapy. Conclusion: These findings could have potential clinical implications and this study proposes the importance of blood thyroid hormone level follow up in the long-term calcium channel blocker therapy.