Ramelteon in Adults With Chronic Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep or complaints of nonrestorative and non-refreshing sleep. Transient insomnia affects approximately one-third to one-half of the US population, based on the results of 2 surveys of representative samples of the adult US population conducted by the Gallup Organization in which respondents were asked if they had "ever had difficulty sleeping." Based on reports of "regular" or "frequent" sleep difficulty, results from the same studies suggest that approximately one-tenth of the US population experiences chronic insomnia. The ideal treatment for insomnia would reduce the latency to onset of sleep and increase total sleep time, without a negative impact on sleep architecture and without safety concerns or next-day effects.

Ramelteon is a melatonin-1 receptor agonist under global development by Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd, for the treatment of transient and chronic insomnia and for the treatment of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders.

This study is designed to determine the safety and efficacy of 35-day treatment of chronic insomnia with Ramelteon, using subjective measures of sleep. Total subject participation time in this study is expected to be approximately 2 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Females of childbearing potential who are sexually active must agree to use adequate contraception, and can neither be pregnant nor lactating from Screening throughout the duration of the study.
• Has had primary insomnia as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision and a history of daytime complaint(s) associated with disturbed sleep.
• Subjective sleep latency greater than or equal to 45 minutes and a subjective total sleep time less than or equal to 6.5 hours per night for at least 3 nights during the week of the lead-in period, based on subject diary.
• Habitual bedtime is between 8:30 PM and 12:00 AM.
• Body mass index between 18 and 34, inclusive.

Exclusion criteria

• Known hypersensitivity to Ramelteon or related compounds, including melatonin.
• Previously participated in a study involving Ramelteon.
• Participated in any other investigational study, and/or taken any investigational drug within 30 days or five half-lives prior to the first day of single-blind study medication, whichever is longer.
• Sleep schedule changes required by employment (eg, shift worker) within three months prior to the first day of single-blind study medication, or has flown across greater than three time zones within seven days prior to screening.
• Participated in a weight loss program or has substantially altered their exercise routine within 30 days prior to the first day of single-blind study medication.
• Has ever had a history of seizures, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, restless leg syndrome, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mental retardation, or cognitive disorder.
• History of psychiatric disorder (including anxiety or depression) within the past 12 months.
• History of drug addiction or drug abuse within the past 12 months.
• History of alcohol abuse within the past 12 months.
• Current significant neurological, hepatic, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, hematologic or metabolic disease unless currently controlled and stable with protocol-allowed medication 30 days prior to the first day of single-blind study medication.
• Uses tobacco products during nightly awakenings.
• Any clinically important abnormal finding as determined by a medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, or clinical laboratory tests, as determined by the investigator.
• Positive hepatitis panel.
• Any additional condition that in the Investigator's opinion would:

• Affect sleep-wake function
• Prohibit the subject from completing the study
• Not be in the best interest of the subject.
• Is required to take or continues taking any disallowed medication, prescription medication, herbal treatment or over-the counter medication that may interfere with evaluation of the study medication, including:

• melatonin or other drugs or supplements known to affect sleep/wake function.
• anxiolytics
• hypnotics
• antidepressants
• anticonvulsants
• sedating H1 antihistamines
• systemic steroids
• respiratory stimulants and decongestants
• over-the-counter and prescription stimulants
• over-the-counter and prescription diet aids
• central nervous system active drugs (including herbal preparations with central nervous system effects)
• narcotic analgesics
• beta blockers
• melatonin
• St. John's Wort
• kava-kava
• gingko biloba