Keywords
Melatonin
Insomnia
Circadian cycle
Behavioral therapy
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Abstract
Objective: To compare the long-term effects of zolpidem and melatonin in patients with insomnia, emphasizing the efficacy and safety of each substance. Methods: Integrative review with search in PubMed databases, considering articles between 2019 and 2024. A total of 139 articles were selected in the first analysis, of which 119 were filtered, leaving only 20, which were actually used in the review. Results: highlight that zolpidem is effective in inducing sleep, however, it has significant adverse effects, such as risk of dependence and tolerance, in addition to cognitive and balance problems in the elderly. Melatonin, on the other hand, is indicated to regulate the circadian cycle and has few adverse effects, being beneficial especially in the elderly and children with neuropsychomotor disorders. Furthermore, melatonin has additional benefits, such as eye protection in cases of glaucoma. Conclusion: It is indicated that zolpidem is more indicated for acute cases of insomnia, while melatonin is a safer long-term option for sleep regulation, with the recommendation of integrated use with behavioral therapies for better results.
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