Z-Drug
Definition
Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (zolpidem, zopiclone, eszopiclone) that binds the alpha-1 subunit of GABA-A selectively. Same date-rape and stupefying-robbery potential as the BZDs.
- Examples
- Zolpidem, zopiclone, eszopiclone
- Drug class
- Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic
- Mechanism
- Selective binding to the GABA-A alpha-1 subunit
- Forensic relevance
- Same drug-facilitated crime potential as benzodiazepines
Common questions
Why are Z-drugs grouped with benzodiazepines in drug-facilitated crime cases despite being chemically different?+
Although structurally unrelated to benzodiazepines, Z-drugs act on the same GABA-A receptor system and produce comparable sedation, amnesia and incapacitation, so toxicology screens for suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault or robbery routinely test for both drug classes together.
Does selectivity for the alpha-1 subunit make Z-drugs harder to detect than benzodiazepines?+
Selectivity affects pharmacological action, not detectability; Z-drugs are still identified by standard toxicological screening and confirmation methods, though their generally short half-lives mean delayed sample collection can miss them even when a longer-acting benzodiazepine would still be detectable.
Related terms
- Barbiturate
- Cyclic ureide derivative of barbituric acid. Potentiates GABA-A. Sub-classed by duration of action: long (phenobarbital), intermediate (amobarbital), short (secobarbital, pentobarbital) and ultrashort...
- Benzodiazepine
- Fused benzene plus seven-member diazepine ring. Allosteric modulator of GABA-A at the alpha-gamma interface. Reversed by flumazenil.
- FPN Reagent
- Ferric chloride, perchloric acid and nitric acid mixture. Red to orange-red colour with phenothiazines (chlorpromazine and relatives). Screen of choice for major...
- Schedule H1
- Forty-six substances notified by the 2013 amendment (Drugs and Cosmetics Fourth Amendment Rules, 2013, GSR 588(E) dated 30 August 2013, in force...
- Sedative-Hypnotic
- CNS depressant. Sedative dose calms (anxiolysis); hypnotic dose induces sleep; higher doses cause anaesthesia, respiratory depression and death.
- Tranquillizer
- Older umbrella term. Minor tranquillizers (benzodiazepines) treat anxiety. Major tranquillizers (phenothiazines, butyrophenones) are antipsychotics.
- Zwikker / Dille-Koppanyi Reagent
- Cobalt salt (nitrate or acetate) plus isopropylamine. Violet to blue-violet colour with barbiturates. Workhorse barbiturate screen since the 1940s.