Seifritz E, Kasper S, Möller HJ, Volz HP, Müller WE, Eckert A, Hatzinger M. Effect of anxiolytic drug silexan on sleep - a narrative review.
World J Biol Psychiatry 2022;
23:493-500. [PMID:
36259937 DOI:
10.1080/15622975.2021.2013092]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Silexan is an orally administered, proprietary essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia with significant anxiolytic and sleep improving properties. Here we present a narrative review that provides an overview of the available evidence of the effects of silexan on sleep.
METHODS
We start with a summary of the pharmacological background and continue with presenting sleep-related results from controlled clinical trials with silexan. Then we report on a meta-analysis of item 'insomnia' from the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, which includes data from all randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials with silexan in which the scale was administered. Finally, we summarise the results of a mediation analysis that was performed to elucidate the pathway of the effect of silexan on sleep.
RESULTS
In randomised, placebo-controlled trials in patients suffering from anxiety disorders silexan had a significant anxiolytic effect and improved sleep along with recovery from anxiety. Mediation analysis demonstrates that more than 98% of the effect of silexan on sleep was mediated by its anxiolytic effect while the direct effect on sleep was marginal.
CONCLUSIONS
Silexan improves sleep as a result of its anxiolytic effect.
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