Zolpidem, better recognized as the brand name Ambien, is not a benzodiazepine. Rather, it is a different group of medicine that are commonly known as non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics, or in other words, Z-meds, specifically under the imidazopyridine class. Although both the zolpidem and benzodiazepines known to exert their pharmacological effects on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors of the brain to induce the sedative effect. The chemical structure, clinical applications and side effects of the two medicines are vastly different. In this blog we will know that is zolpidem a benzo or not.
About Zolpidem Medication
Zolpidem, a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug that primarily employed to treat insomnia. Its main activity is to induce sleep by binding to particular subunits of the GABA-A receptor complex in the brain causing sedative effects without a significant muscle relaxant or anticonvulsant effect.
But not to treat more comprehensive conditions like anxiety disorders or muscle spasms, which are other popular benzodiazepine indications.
What is the Difference between Zolpidem and benzodiazepines?
Although zolpidem and benzodiazepines are similar in improving the GABAergic signaling in the brain, they have several critical differences:
Chemical Structure: The structure of Zolpidem is not related structurally to benzodiazepines and it is not sharing the same molecular skeleton.
Mechanism of Action: These two types of medicine bound to GABA-A receptors with an affinity of zolpidem to BZ1 subtype.
It enhances sleep and lacks any anxiolytic, anticonvulsant or muscle-relaxant effects typical of benzodiazepines.
Indications: Zolpidem comes under use as short-term management for the treatment of insomnia.
Whereas benzodiazepines under treatment of a broader spectrum of diseases, such as anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
Side Effects and Dependence: Zolpidem usually a good safety agent. Although dependence and abnormal sleep patterns may still causes when misused. The benzodiazepines are more dependent and tolerant to use in the long term.
Why the Confusion Is Zolpidem a Benzo?
Due to the similarity in the mechanism of action, the zolpidem and benzodiazepines have a high incidence of confusion with each other as they both work on the GABA system.
Prescription guidelines, drug sources, and medical practitioners, however make it clear that zolpidem is not a benzodiazepine. It has a different action and chemical composition, making it a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic.
Conclusion
Zolpidem does not belongs to benzodiazepine. It is a non- benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, also known as Z-med, with unique actions, indications and side-effects.
Its major medical use is in the short-term treatment of insomnia and its binding selectivity is the differentiating aspect of it compared to benzodiazepines medicine. To buy zolpidem uk you can order from zopiclonemart website.