Content about Sleep disorders

STAMFORD, Conn. — An insomnia drug made by Purdue Pharma "significantly" reduced the time it took patients to return to sleep after they'd woke up in the middle of the night, according to a new study.

The placebo-controlled study, published in the journal Sleep, tested the drug Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate) sublingual tablets on 295 adults with primary insomnia and difficulty returning to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. Purdue said Intermezzo was the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating such patients.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A study of an experimental drug for insomnia indicated that patients who stop taking it continue having sleeping problems, according to results of a clinical trial announced Monday.

Merck released data from a phase-3 trial of suvorexant in which patients who had been taking the drug daily for a year were switched to placebo for a two-month "discontinuation phase." Patients who were switched from the drug to placebo showed sleeping difficulties similar to those who had consistently taken placebo.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble on Monday officially announced the introduction of ZzzQuil, a sleep aid addition to its Vicks NyQuil and Vicks DayQuil brands.

“ZzzQuil not only helps reduce the time it takes for a person to fall asleep, but [also] allows them to sleep soundly so they can wake up rested and refreshed,” stated Dave Tomasi, marketing director of North America for Vicks. “It is a sleep-only solution that delivers effective relief to consumers suffering from occasional sleeplessness.”

NEW YORK — A drug made by Pfizer shows "significant" benefit to patients with restless legs syndrome, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Friday.

The drug maker said Lyrica (pregabalin) produced statistically significant improvements in patients with RLS compared with placebo and pramipexole after 12 weeks of treatment. In the phase-3 study, A0081186, 300 mg of Lyrica, 0.25 mg of pramipexole, 0.5 mg of pramipexole or placebo was given to patients on a daily basis.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by GlaxoSmithKline and Xenoport for treating restless legs syndrome, the agency said Thursday.

The FDA approved Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) as a once-daily treatment for moderate-to-severe RLS.

“People with restless legs syndrome can experience considerable distress from their symptoms,” FDA Division of Neurology Products director Russell Katz said. “Horizant provides significant help in treating these symptoms.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Splintek Health Products recently launched its SleepRight nasal breathe aid — a snore-relieving product entry into the nasal strip category that retails for a suggested price of $11.99.

According to the company, the product reduces snoring, relieves nasal congestion and is adhesive-free and reusable. Flexible flares expand the nasal passages to significantly increase airflow, while forming to the shape of the user’s nose for a custom, comfortable fit. Each breathe aid is reusable and lasts up to 15 days.

BOSTON Two companies have formed a partnership to provide services for long-haul truck drivers.

Sleep HealthCenters and Roadside Medical Clinic + Lab announced a partnership Wednesday to provide sleep medicine services as part of Roadside’s driver-wellness programs.

SAN DIEGO Drug maker Somaxon Pharmaceuticals has made its treatment for insomnia available by prescription, the company said Tuesday.

Somaxon announced the availability of Silenor (doxepin), which received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in March as a treatment for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance.