Evaluation of Suvorexant as an Additional Sleep Aid for Military Operations
Abstract
The Navy does not currently offer a long-acting hypnotic to aid sleep when necessary military functions interfere with the ability to sleep. The currently approved short-acting hypnotic does not maintain sleep as long as desired. The current study evaluated a Food and Drug Administration approved medication to identify the potential for the addition of suvorexant to the approved medication list for Naval operations. This study used a double-blind, repeated-measures design to evaluate 3 drug conditions: placebo, zolpidem (5-10 mg) and suvorexant (10mg). It was hypothesized that suvorexant would allow for improved sleep quantity compared to zolpidem without affecting next-day performance 9 to 17 hours post dose. Results from 15 men and women participants did not show a clear pattern of drug effects in next-day performance, indicating no hang-over effect from either medication. The sleep analysis indicated sleep stage changes in the second half of the night were dependent on drug condition, but neither drug showed clinically-significant differences. With no clear differences in findings, suvorexant may serve as a viable alternative hypnotic for those who do not respond well to zolpidem. Future research should investigate a higher dosage of suvorexant in a greater phase-delay schedule.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1183098
Entities
People
- Ali Ludwig
- Henry Stephenson
- J. L. Caldwell
- Kayelin Tiggs
- Kiersten Weatherbie
- Marissa Tharp
- Megan Boltz
- Nicole Beasley
- Ryan Etheridge
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton