Nonbenzodiazepine

Chemical structure of the prototypical Z-drug zolpidem

Nonbenzodiazepines (/ˌnɒnˌbɛnzoʊdaɪˈæzɪpiːn, -ˈeɪ-/[1][2]), sometimes referred to colloquially as Z-drugs (as many of their names begin with the letter "z"), are a class of psychoactive, depressant, sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic drugs that are benzodiazepine-like in uses, such as for treating insomnia[3] and anxiety.[4]

Nonbenzodiazepine pharmacodynamics are similar in mechanism of action to benzodiazepine drugs, acting as GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators of the benzodiazepine site, and therefore exhibit similar benefits, side effects, and risks. However, nonbenzodiazepines have dissimilar or entirely different chemical structures, so are unrelated to benzodiazepines on a molecular level.[5][6]

  1. ^ "benzodiazepine - definition of benzodiazepine in English from the Oxford dictionary". OxfordDictionaries.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  2. ^ "benzodiazepine". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
  3. ^ "What's wrong with prescribing hypnotics?". Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. 42 (12): 89–93. December 2004. doi:10.1136/dtb.2004.421289. PMID 15587763. S2CID 40188442.
  4. ^ Skolnick P (November 2012). "Anxioselective anxiolytics: on a quest for the Holy Grail". Trends Pharmacol Sci. 33 (11): 611–20. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2012.08.003. PMC 3482271. PMID 22981367.
  5. ^ Siriwardena AN, Qureshi Z, Gibson S, Collier S, Latham M (December 2006). "GPs' attitudes to benzodiazepine and 'Z-drug' prescribing: a barrier to implementation of evidence and guidance on hypnotics". The British Journal of General Practice. 56 (533): 964–7. PMC 1934058. PMID 17132386.
  6. ^ Wagner J, Wagner ML, Hening WA (June 1998). "Beyond benzodiazepines: alternative pharmacologic agents for the treatment of insomnia". The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 32 (6): 680–91. doi:10.1345/aph.17111. PMID 9640488. S2CID 34250754.