New hope for insomnia

A new, first in class sleep medication is launched, offering hope for thousands of sufferers of insomnia in Europe. Circadin, sustained-release melatonin, provides natural sleep by increasing the body's own level of this naturally occurring hormone throughout the night.

Melatonin is the hormone that regulates sleep and allows good quality sleep. Melatonin levels peak in the middle of the night and then gradually decline to morning. As we age, the nocturnal production of melatonin declines, hence insomnia being a particular problem in the elderly. Circadin mimics the pattern of melatonin release throughout the night to promote healthy sleep and does not appear to impair function the next day and has been shown to be an effective treatment for people over the age of 55 with insomnia.