PsychRounds: The Psychiatry Podcast The Sleep Series: Orexin Antagonists (Suvorexant, Lemborexant, Daridorexant)
11 snips
Oct 30, 2024 Dive into the fascinating world of orexin antagonists like Suvorexant and Lemborexant. Discover how these medications target sleep disorders and their connection to conditions such as narcolepsy. Learn about their efficacy, safety, and the exciting potential they hold beyond insomnia treatment, including possible benefits for depression and Alzheimer's disease. The discussion also addresses the challenges and considerations in their use, especially for elderly patients. Tune in for an insightful exploration of modern sleep medicine!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Orexins and Their Receptors
- Orexins, discovered in 1998, are neuropeptides controlling wakefulness, appetite, and mood.
- They act via orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptors which have distinct roles in arousal and sleep.
Narcolepsy Links to Orexin Deficiency
- Narcolepsy is caused by orexin deficiency or receptor abnormalities causing sleep-wake dysregulation.
- This insight inspired development of orexin receptor antagonists to treat insomnia.
Suvorexant's Balanced Profile
- Suvorexant, FDA approved in 2014, balances binding to orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptors.
- It improves sleep measures like onset and efficiency with few side effects and no rebound insomnia.