An insomnia drug that helps the body produce more of the sleep hormone melatonin may improve sleep for jet-lagged travellers and shift workers, researchers reported on Monday.

Maryland-based Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported on two studies of its drug tasimelteon, also known as VEC-162, that showed it helped patients sleep longer and more deeply than a placebo.

They said that people with so-called circadian rhythm disorders could be helped. These disorders are common causes of insomnia that affect millions of people whose activities are out of sync with their internal body clocks.

These disorders entail persistent sleep disturbances, insomnia when trying to sleep and excessive sleepiness while trying to remain awake, the researchers said.
(Reuters)

Well that's fantastic but... erm... what's wrong with just taking melatonin? "Melatonin can fight jet lag too but over-the-counter melatonin products are not regulated, and have not been consistently shown to help treat jet lag and other sleep disorders." So, better to spend ten times the amount on a patented drug than a cheap well-known and un-patentable hormone. Guess the drug companies have to make back the money on their advertising and "independent" trials.

Most countries one can buy melatonin. Last time I tried, one can't in the UK, as the UK authorities think that even salt is a drug and should only be available on prescription (but that's another argument).

Actually, I found serotonin and melatonin together makes you mellow, spaced out and sleep like a baby. You also won't care if you wake up late for work!!

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