| Medication | FDA-approved for insomnia? | Controlled substance? | Typical mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trazodone | No (off-label) | No | Serotonin receptor blockade + antihistamine |
| Zolpidem (Ambien) | Yes | Yes (Schedule IV) | GABA-A receptor |
| Low-dose doxepin (Silenor) | Yes, at low dose | No | Antihistamine (H1) |
| Melatonin (OTC) | Supplement, not FDA-reviewed as a drug | No | Circadian signaling |
| Eszopiclone (Lunesta) | Yes | Yes (Schedule IV) | GABA-A receptor |
This chart is a starting point for a conversation with your prescriber, not a recommendation for any specific option — the right choice depends on your full health picture.