Nonbenzodiazepine

Background

Core structures of selected nonbenzodiazepines (left three diagrams) and the structure of benzodiazepines (right) for comparison.

• Nonbenzodiazepines (i.e., "Z-drugs"), are a class of psychoactive, depressant, sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic drugs that are benzodiazepine-like in uses, such as for treating insomnia and anxiety.
• 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.
• High-risk geriatric medication!

Classes

Imidazopyridines

• Zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Intermezzo, Zolpimist, Edluar, Ivadal, Sanval, Stilnox, etc.)

Pyrazolopyrimidines

• Zaleplon (Sonata, Starnoc, Andante)

Cyclopyrrolones

• Eszopiclone (Lunesta, Valnoc, etc.)
• Zopiclone (Imovane, Zimovane, Somnol, etc.)

β-Carbolines

• None clinically available

See Also

• Sedative/Hypnotic
• Benzodiazepine