Jump to content

Nonbenzodiazepine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Z-drug)
Chemical structure of the prototypical Z-drug zolpidem

Nonbenzodiazepines (/ˌnɒnˌbɛnzdˈæzɪpn, -ˈ-/[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]

Classes

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

Currently, the major chemical classes of nonbenzodiazepines are:

Imidazopyridines

Pyrazolopyrimidines

Pharmacology

[edit]

The nonbenzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators of the GABAA receptor. Like the benzodiazepines, they exert their effects by binding to and activating the benzodiazepine site of the receptor complex. Some nonbenzodiazepines can be subtype-selective, possibly providing anxiolytic effects with little to no hypnotic or amnesic effects or providing hypnotic effects with little or no anxiolytic effect.

Background

[edit]

Nonbenzodiazepines have demonstrated efficacy in treating sleep disorders. There is some limited evidence that suggests that tolerance to nonbenzodiazepines is slower to develop than with benzodiazepines.[7] However, data is limited so no conclusions can be drawn. Data is also limited into the long-term effects of nonbenzodiazepines. Further research into the safety of nonbenzodiazepines and long-term effectiveness of nonbenzodiazepines has been recommended in a review of the literature.[8] Some differences exist between the Z-drugs, for example tolerance and rebound effects may not occur with zaleplon.[9]

Pharmaceuticals

[edit]
Comparison of nonbenzodiazepines[10][11]
Drug Reduces sleep onset latency? Encourages sleep maintenance? Observed causing rebound insomnia? Observed causing physical dependence?
Zolpidem instant-release Yes Maybe Maybe Yes
Zolpidem extended-release Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sublingual zolpidem Yes Maybe Maybe Yes
Zolpidem oral spray Yes Maybe Maybe Yes
Eszopiclone Yes Yes Yes Yes
Zaleplon Yes Maybe No Yes

The first three nonbenzodiazepine drugs to enter the market were the "Z-drugs", zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon. These three drugs are all sedatives used exclusively for the treatment of mild insomnia. They are safer than the older barbiturates especially in overdosage and they may, when compared to the benzodiazepines, have less of a tendency to induce physical dependence and addiction, although these issues can still become a problem. This has led to the Z-drugs becoming widely prescribed for the treatment of insomnia particularly in elderly patients.[12][13][14] Almost a third of all prescriptions written for Z-drugs are for adults over the age of 65.[15]

Long-term use is not recommended as tolerance and addiction can occur.[16] A survey of patients using nonbenzodiazepine Z-drugs and benzodiazepine hypnotic users found that there was no difference in reports of adverse effects that were reported in over 41% of users and, in fact, Z-drug users were more likely to report that they had tried to quit their hypnotic drug and were more likely to want to stop taking Z-drugs than benzodiazepine users. Efficacy also did not differ between benzodiazepine and Z-drug users.[17]

Effectiveness

[edit]

A major systematic review and network meta-analysis of medications for the treatment of insomnia was published in 2022.[18] It included the Z-drugs and found effect sizes (standardized mean difference (SMD)) ranging from 0.03 to 0.63 for these agents.[18] More specifically, the SMDs were 0.45 (4 weeks) and 0.03 (3 months) for zolpidem, 0.51 (4 weeks) for zopiclone, 0.51 (4 weeks) and 0.63 (3 months) for eszopiclone, and 0.19 (4 weeks) for zaleplon.[18] Eszopiclone had the most favorable profile and best evidence to support its use.[18] For comparison, benzodiazepines had SMDs of 0.58 to 0.83, sedative antidepressants and antihistamines had SMDs of 0.30 to 0.55, the antipsychotic quetiapine had an SMD of 0.07, orexin receptor antagonists had SMDs of 0.23 to 0.44, and melatonin receptor agonists had SMDs of 0.00 to 0.13.[18] The certainty of evidence varied and ranged from high to very low depending on the medication.[18]

Side effects

[edit]

The Z-drugs are not without disadvantages, and all three compounds are notable for producing side effects such as pronounced amnesia and more rarely hallucinations,[19][20] especially when used in large doses. On rare occasions, these drugs can produce a fugue state, wherein the patient sleepwalks and may perform relatively complex actions, including cooking meals or driving cars, while effectively unconscious and with no recollection of the events upon awakening. While this effect is rare (and has also been reported to occur with some of the older sedative drugs such as temazepam and secobarbital), it can be potentially hazardous, and so further development of this class of drugs has continued in an effort to find new compounds with further improved profiles.[21][22][23][24][25]

Daytime withdrawal-related anxiety can also occur from chronic nightly nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic usage such as with zopiclone.[26]

Side effects can differ within the drug class due to differences in metabolism and pharmacology. For example, long-acting benzodiazepines have problems of drug accumulation especially in the elderly or those with liver disease, and shorter-acting benzodiazepines have a higher risk of more severe withdrawal symptoms.[27][28] In the case of the nonbenzodiazepines, zaleplon may be the safest in terms of next-day sedation, and − unlike zolpidem and zopiclone − zaleplon has been found to have no association with increased motor vehicle accidents even when taken for middle-of-the-night insomnia due to its ultrashort elimination half-life.[29][30][31][32]

Increased risk of depression

[edit]

It has been claimed that insomnia causes depression and hypothesized that insomnia medications may help to treat depression. However, an analysis of data of clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning the drugs zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone found that these sedative hypnotic drugs more than doubled the risks of developing depression compared to those taking placebo pills.[33] Hypnotic drugs, therefore, may be contraindicated in patients with or at risk of depression. Hypnotics were found to be more likely to cause depression than to help it. Studies have found that long-term users of sedative hypnotic drugs have a markedly raised suicide risk as well as an overall increased mortality risk. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia, on the other hand, has been found to both improve sleep quality as well as general mental health.[33]

Other risks

[edit]

Sleeping pills, including the Z-drugs, have been associated with an increased risk of death.[34]

In older people this family of medications increases the risk of fractures and falls.[35]

The Z-drug zaleplon may have fewer side effects compared to benzodiazepines.[36]

Dependence and withdrawal management

[edit]

Nonbenzodiazepines should not be discontinued abruptly if taken for more than a few weeks due to the risk of rebound withdrawal effects and acute withdrawal reactions, which may resemble those seen during benzodiazepine withdrawal. Treatment usually entails gradually reducing the dosage over a period of weeks or several months depending on the individual, dosage, and length of time the drug has been taken. If this approach fails, a crossover to a benzodiazepine equivalent dose of a long-acting benzodiazepine (such as chlordiazepoxide or more preferably diazepam) can be tried followed by a gradual reduction in dosage. In extreme cases and, in particular, where severe addiction and/or abuse is manifested, an inpatient detoxification may be required, with flumazenil as a possible detoxification tool.[37][38][39]

Elderly

[edit]

Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drugs, similar to benzodiazepines, cause impairments in body balance and standing steadiness upon waking; falls and hip fractures are frequently reported. The combination with alcohol increases these impairments. Partial but incomplete tolerance develops to these impairments.[40] In general, nonbenzodiazepines are not recommended for older patients due to the increased risk of falls and fractures.[41] An extensive review of the medical literature regarding the management of insomnia and the elderly found that there is considerable evidence of the effectiveness and lasting benefits of non-drug treatments for insomnia in adults of all age groups and that these interventions are underused. Compared with the benzodiazepines, the nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics offer little if any advantages in efficacy or tolerability in elderly persons. It was found that newer agents such as the melatonin agonists may be more suitable and effective for the management of chronic insomnia in elderly people. Long-term use of sedative-hypnotics for insomnia lacks an evidence base and is discouraged for reasons that include concerns about such potential adverse drug effects as cognitive impairment (anterograde amnesia), daytime sedation, motor incoordination, and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and falls. In addition, the effectiveness and safety of long-term use of these agents remain to be determined. It was concluded that further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of treatment and the most appropriate management strategy for elderly persons with chronic insomnia.[42]

Safety

[edit]

A review of the literature regarding hypnotics including the nonbenzodiazepine Z-drugs concluded that these drugs carry a significant risk to the individual. The risks include dependence, accidents, and other adverse effects. Gradual discontinuation of hypnotics may lead to improved health without worsening of sleep. It is preferred that they should be prescribed for only a few days at the lowest effective dose and avoided wherever possible in the elderly.[43]

New compounds

[edit]

More recently, a range of non-sedating anxiolytic drugs derived from the same structural families as the Z-drugs have been developed, such as alpidem (Ananxyl) and pagoclone, and approved for clinical prescription. Nonbenzodiazepine drugs are much more selective than the older benzodiazepine anxiolytics, producing effective relief of anxiety/panic with little or no sedation, anterograde amnesia, or anticonvulsant effects, and are thus potentially more precise than older, anti-anxiety drugs. However, anxiolytic nonbenzodiazepines are not widely prescribed and many have collapsed after initial clinical trials and consumption halted many projects, including but not limited to alpidem, indiplon, and suriclone.

History

[edit]

Z-drugs emerged in the last years of the 1980s and early 1990s, with zopiclone (Imovane) approved by the British National Health Service as early as 1989, quickly followed by Sanofi with zolpidem (Ambien). By 1999, King Pharmaceuticals had finalized approval with the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market zaleplon (Sonata, Starnoc) across the US. In 2005, the FDA approved eszopiclone (Lunesta) the (S)-enantiomer of zopiclone. That same year, 2005, the FDA finalized approval for Ambien CR, or extended-release zolpidem. Most recently, in 2012 the FDA approved Intermezzo (zolpidem tartate sublingual), which is marketed for middle-of-the-night insomnia, available in doses only half of the strength of immediate-release zolpidem tartrate to avoid residual next-day sedation.

References

[edit]
  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.
  7. ^ Owens, Judith A. (2014-01-01), Sheldon, Stephen H.; Ferber, Richard; Kryger, Meir H.; Gozal, David (eds.), "Chapter 7 - Pharmacology of Sleep", Principles and Practice of Pediatric Sleep Medicine (Second Edition), Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, pp. 53–61, ISBN 978-1-4557-0318-0, retrieved 2023-06-17
  8. ^ Benca RM (March 2005). "Diagnosis and treatment of chronic insomnia: a review". Psychiatric Services. 56 (3): 332–43. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.56.3.332. PMID 15746509.
  9. ^ Lader MH (January 2001). "Implications of hypnotic flexibility on patterns of clinical use". International Journal of Clinical Practice. Supplement (116): 14–9. PMID 11219327.
  10. ^ "Evaluating Newer Sleeping Pills Used to Treat: Insomnia: Comparing Effectiveness, Safety, and Price" (PDF). Consumer Reports. January 2012. p. 14. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  11. ^ Huedo-Medina TB, Kirsch I, Middlemass J, Klonizakis M, Siriwardena AN (December 2012). "Effectiveness of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in treatment of adult insomnia: meta-analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration". BMJ. 345: e8343. doi:10.1136/bmj.e8343. PMC 3544552. PMID 23248080.
  12. ^ Neubauer DN (2006). "New approaches in managing chronic insomnia". CNS Spectrums. 11 (8 Suppl 8): 1–13. doi:10.1017/S1092852900026687. PMID 16871130. S2CID 141232890.
  13. ^ Najib J (April 2006). "Eszopiclone, a nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic agent for the treatment of transient and chronic insomnia". Clinical Therapeutics. 28 (4): 491–516. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2006.04.014. PMID 16750462.
  14. ^ Lieberman JA (2007). "Update on the safety considerations in the management of insomnia with hypnotics: incorporating modified-release formulations into primary care" (PDF). Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 9 (1): 25–31. doi:10.4088/pcc.v09n0105. PMC 1894851. PMID 17599165. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  15. ^ Kaufmann CN, Spira AP, Alexander GC, Rutkow L, Mojtabai R (June 2016). "Trends in prescribing of sedative-hypnotic medications in the USA: 1993-2010". Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 25 (6): 637–45. doi:10.1002/pds.3951. PMC 4889508. PMID 26711081.
  16. ^ Touitou Y (July 2007). "[Sleep disorders and hypnotic agents: medical, social and economical impact]". Annales Pharmaceutiques Françaises (in French). 65 (4): 230–8. doi:10.1016/s0003-4509(07)90041-3. PMID 17652991.
  17. ^ Siriwardena AN, Qureshi MZ, Dyas JV, Middleton H, Orner R (June 2008). "Magic bullets for insomnia? Patients' use and experiences of newer (Z drugs) versus older (benzodiazepine) hypnotics for sleep problems in primary care". The British Journal of General Practice. 58 (551): 417–22. doi:10.3399/bjgp08X299290. PMC 2418994. PMID 18505619.
  18. ^ a b c d e f De Crescenzo F, D'Alò GL, Ostinelli EG, Ciabattini M, Di Franco V, Watanabe N, et al. (July 2022). "Comparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis". Lancet. 400 (10347): 170–184. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00878-9. hdl:11380/1288245. PMID 35843245. S2CID 250536370.
  19. ^ Stone JR, Zorick TS, Tsuang J (April 2008). "Dose-related illusions and hallucinations with zaleplon". Clinical Toxicology. 46 (4): 344–5. doi:10.1080/15563650701517442. PMID 17852167.
  20. ^ Toner LC, Tsambiras BM, Catalano G, Catalano MC, Cooper DS (2000). "Central nervous system side effects associated with zolpidem treatment". Clinical Neuropharmacology. 23 (1): 54–8. doi:10.1097/00002826-200001000-00011. PMID 10682233.
  21. ^ Mellingsaeter TC, Bramness JG, Slørdal L (November 2006). "[Are z-hypnotics better and safer sleeping pills than benzodiazepines?]". Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening (in Norwegian). 126 (22): 2954–6. PMID 17117195. Archived from the original on 2007-10-28.
  22. ^ Yang W, Dollear M, Muthukrishnan SR (June 2005). "One rare side effect of zolpidem--sleepwalking: a case report". Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 86 (6): 1265–6. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2004.11.022. PMID 15954071.
  23. ^ Lange CL (March 2005). "Medication-associated somnambulism". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 44 (3): 211–2. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000150618.67559.48. PMID 15725964.
  24. ^ Morgenthaler TI, Silber MH (July 2002). "Amnestic sleep-related eating disorder associated with zolpidem". Sleep Medicine. 3 (4): 323–7. doi:10.1016/S1389-9457(02)00007-2. PMID 14592194.
  25. ^ Liskow B, Pikalov A (August 2004). "Zaleplon overdose associated with sleepwalking and complex behavior". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 43 (8): 927–8. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000129219.66563.aa. PMID 15266187.
  26. ^ Fontaine R, Beaudry P, Le Morvan P, Beauclair L, Chouinard G (July 1990). "Zopiclone and triazolam in insomnia associated with generalized anxiety disorder: a placebo-controlled evaluation of efficacy and daytime anxiety". International Clinical Psychopharmacology. 5 (3): 173–83. doi:10.1097/00004850-199007000-00002. PMID 2230061.
  27. ^ Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ (June 1977). "Clinical implications of benzodiazepine pharmacokinetics". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 134 (6): 652–6. doi:10.1176/ajp.134.6.652. PMID 17302.
  28. ^ Noyes R, Perry PJ, Crowe RR, Coryell WH, Clancy J, Yamada T, Gabel J (January 1986). "Seizures following the withdrawal of alprazolam". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 174 (1): 50–2. doi:10.1097/00005053-198601000-00009. PMID 2867122.
  29. ^ Menzin J, Lang KM, Levy P, Levy E (January 2001). "A general model of the effects of sleep medications on the risk and cost of motor vehicle accidents and its application to France". PharmacoEconomics. 19 (1): 69–78. doi:10.2165/00019053-200119010-00005. PMID 11252547. S2CID 45013069.
  30. ^ Vermeeren A, Riedel WJ, van Boxtel MP, Darwish M, Paty I, Patat A (March 2002). "Differential residual effects of zaleplon and zopiclone on actual driving: a comparison with a low dose of alcohol". Sleep. 25 (2): 224–31. PMID 11905433.
  31. ^ Walsh JK, Pollak CP, Scharf MB, Schweitzer PK, Vogel GW (January–February 2000). "Lack of residual sedation following middle-of-the-night zaleplon administration in sleep maintenance insomnia". Clinical Neuropharmacology. 23 (1): 17–21. doi:10.1097/00002826-200001000-00004. PMID 10682226. S2CID 33929400.
  32. ^ Verster JC, Veldhuijzen DS, Volkerts ER (August 2004). "Residual effects of sleep medication on driving ability". Sleep Medicine Reviews. 8 (4): 309–25. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2004.02.001. hdl:1874/11902. PMID 15233958. S2CID 22856696.
  33. ^ a b Kripke DF (August 2007). "Greater incidence of depression with hypnotic use than with placebo". BMC Psychiatry. 7: 42. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-7-42. PMC 1994947. PMID 17711589.
  34. ^ Kripke DF (February 2016). "Mortality Risk of Hypnotics: Strengths and Limits of Evidence" (PDF). Drug Safety. 39 (2): 93–107. doi:10.1007/s40264-015-0362-0. PMID 26563222. S2CID 7946506.
  35. ^ Treves N, Perlman A, Kolenberg Geron L, Asaly A, Matok I (March 2018). "Z-drugs and risk for falls and fractures in older adults-a systematic review and meta-analysis". Age and Ageing. 47 (2): 201–208. doi:10.1093/ageing/afx167. PMID 29077902.
  36. ^ Barbera J, Shapiro C (2005). "Benefit-risk assessment of zaleplon in the treatment of insomnia". Drug Safety. 28 (4): 301–18. doi:10.2165/00002018-200528040-00003. PMID 15783240. S2CID 24222535.
  37. ^ MedlinePlus (January 8, 2001). "Eszopiclone". National Institutes of Health. Archived from the original on February 27, 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2008.
  38. ^ Professor Heather Ashton. "Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw".
  39. ^ Quaglio G, Lugoboni F, Fornasiero A, Lechi A, Gerra G, Mezzelani P (September 2005). "Dependence on zolpidem: two case reports of detoxification with flumazenil infusion". International Clinical Psychopharmacology. 20 (5): 285–7. doi:10.1097/01.yic.0000166404.41850.b4. PMID 16096519.
  40. ^ Mets MA, Volkerts ER, Olivier B, Verster JC (August 2010). "Effect of hypnotic drugs on body balance and standing steadiness". Sleep Medicine Reviews. 14 (4): 259–67. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2009.10.008. PMID 20171127.
  41. ^ Antai-Otong D (August 2006). "The art of prescribing. Risks and benefits of non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists in the treatment of acute primary insomnia in older adults". Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 42 (3): 196–200. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6163.2006.00070.x. PMID 16916422.
  42. ^ Bain KT (June 2006). "Management of chronic insomnia in elderly persons". The American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy. 4 (2): 168–92. doi:10.1016/j.amjopharm.2006.06.006. PMID 16860264.
  43. ^ "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.