Nonbenzodiazepine

Uncommon card · No. 131457

Nonbenzodiazepines (), also referred to as Z-drugs (as some of the more well-known drugs begin with the letter "z"), are a class of psychoactive, depressant, sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic drugs that are benzodiazepine-like in uses. 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 a different chemical structures on a molecular level. Nonbenzodiazepines can be addictive: within days to weeks, the body can become accustomed to their effects. When the dose is then reduced or the drug is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms similar to those of benzodiazepine withdrawal may result. Nonbenzodiazepines are sometimes used in insomnia. Nonbenzodiazepines decrease sleep latency by 10 to 20 minutes. However, no benzodiazepine-like drug has shown clinically significant increase...

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