The Science

Drug interactions & safety

Defined Sleep is safe on a daily basis for the vast majority of patients. A small number of prescription medications are contraindicated with CBD — check what your patients are taking before recommending.

Safety profile

  • No adverse events reported in the clinical trial (medical monitor tracked throughout)
  • Non-sedating; no effect on heart rate or heart rate variability
  • No THC — non-psychoactive, non-intoxicating; no fall-risk concern for elderly patients; appropriate for patients subject to workplace drug testing
  • No risk profile for dependency observed

Contraindications

Defined Sleep should not be taken by women who are pregnant.

We recommend patients do not take Defined Sleep if they are taking any of the following:

clarithromycin · itraconazole · ketoconazole · posaconazole · voriconazole · ritonavir · cyclosporine · rifampin · theophylline · tizanidine · lamotrigine · morphine · lorazepam · diazepam · clobazam · stiripentol · valproate · everolimus · sirolimus · tacrolimus

For any other medication, check the drug interaction checker or contact our medical team via Medical Inquiries.

Drug-by-drug comparison: effects on deep and REM sleep

How Defined Sleep's profile compares with commonly used sleep aids and prescription sleep medicines, with references by agent. (References as currently published on definedsleep.com/pages/physician-information; links to be re-verified in the citation audit before production.)

Agent Class Mechanism Sedative Effect on deep & REM sleep Dependency risk Adverse effects
Defined Sleep OTC supplement Multiple (CBD + terpenes) No Increases [ref] No None in trial
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZzzQuil) OTC Antihistamine Yes Decreases [ref] No Yes
Doxylamine (Unisom) OTC Antihistamine Yes No effect [ref] No Yes
Melatonin OTC Melatonin receptor agonist Yes May decrease [ref] No Yes
GABA (oral) OTC GABA receptor agonist Yes Not determined Yes Yes
Magnesium OTC GABA receptor agonist Yes Not determined Yes Yes
Zolpidem (Ambien) Rx GABA-A / benzodiazepine-site agonist Yes Decreases [ref] Yes Yes
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) Rx GABA-A / benzodiazepine-site agonist Yes No effect [ref] Yes Yes
Zaleplon (Sonata) Rx GABA-A / benzodiazepine-site agonist Yes Decreases [ref] Yes Yes
Temazepam (Restoril) Rx Benzodiazepine Yes Decreases [ref] [ref] Yes Yes
Doxepin (Silenor) Rx Antidepressant Yes Decreases [ref] Yes Yes
Ramelteon (Rozerem) Rx Melatonin receptor agonist Yes Decreases [ref] Yes Yes
Trazodone Rx Antidepressant Yes Decreases [ref] Yes Yes

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