Z-drugs
- Nonbenzodiazepine GABA-A hypnotics
- Zolpidem/eszopiclone/zaleplon
- Rapid sleep effects; no anxiety benefit
- Dependence, falls + amnesia still occur
- Complex sleep behaviors have boxed warning
- Zaleplon is shortest acting
- Use lowest effective dose/short duration
Class at a glance
- Nonbenzodiazepine GABA-A hypnotics
Members / distinctions
- Zolpidem/eszopiclone/zaleplon
- Zaleplon is shortest acting
Clinical role
- Rapid sleep effects; no anxiety benefit
- Use lowest effective dose/short duration
Other member distinctions
- Dependence, falls + amnesia still occur
- Complex sleep behaviors have boxed warning
Self-check
- What boxed warning applies to Z-drugs?
Complex sleep behaviors. - Which Z-drug is shortest acting?
Zaleplon.
Drugs in this class (3)
Z-drugs prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Sleep meds (1869–2026). Z-drugs highlighted from 1993.
All drug classes · Open Z-drugs in the interactive console ↗