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What Drug is Known as Z?

Published in Hypnotics 2 mins read

"Z-drugs" is a common term for a class of nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics used to treat insomnia. These medications are prescribed to help individuals achieve better sleep.

What are Z-Drugs?

Z-drugs are a group of medications including:

  • Zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist): A widely known and commonly prescribed Z-drug.
  • Eszopiclone (Lunesta): Another frequently used Z-drug for insomnia.
  • Zaleplon (Sonata): This Z-drug is also an effective treatment option for sleeplessness.
  • Zopiclone: Another drug belonging to the Z-drug class.

These drugs are not benzodiazepines, but they share a similar mechanism of action in promoting sleep. They work by acting on specific receptors in the brain that regulate sleep and wakefulness.

Importance of Proper Prescription and Use

It's crucial to remember that Z-drugs should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. The FDA https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/taking-z-drugs-insomnia-know-risks highlights the importance of understanding the risks associated with these medications. Misuse or overuse can lead to various side effects and potential health complications.

Additionally, "Z" can also refer to other drugs in slang or abbreviations. For example, "Z-bars" is a street name for alprazolam (Xanax). However, without more context, "Z" most commonly refers to the class of sleep medications mentioned above. Consulting a comprehensive drug list like the one offered by FRANK https://www.talktofrank.com/drugs-a-z can be helpful for identifying drugs by various names.