ALMOREXANT Dual Orexin OX1/OX2 Antagonist Treatment of Sleep Disorders

Almorexant is a novel, selective, orally active dual orexin OX1 and OX2 receptor antagonist It is rapidly absorbed and distributed and shows no tendency to accumulate with repeated dosing Preclinical studies on rats and dogs hove demonstrated a sleep-promoting effect which resembles physiological sleep, this could be quickly reversed upon sensorimotor stimulation and yet allow resumption of sleep upon its cessation Almorexant's sleep-promoting effects were confirmed in volunteers and patients with primary insomnia It dose-dependently increased sleep efficiency and decreased sleep latency and wake time after sleep onset The compound was well tolerated, with no significant effects on next-day motor performance, memory or reaction time