Benzodiazepine-like drugs zopiclone

Until about 1980, it was widely accepted that the benzodiazepine structure was a prerequisite for the anxiolytic profile and for the recognition of and binding to the benzodiazepine receptor. More recently, however, a chemically unrelated drug, the cyclopyrrolone zopiclone, has been shown to be a useful sedative hypnotic with a benzodiazepine-like profile. Other chemical classes of drugs that are also structurally dissimilar to the benzodiazepines (e.g. triazolopyridazines) have also been developed and shown to have anxiolytic activity in man these non-benzodiazepines also act via the benzodiazepine receptor. Thus the term "benzodiazepine receptor ligand" has been introduced to describe all drugs, irrespective of their chemical structure, that act on benzodiazepine receptors and thereby modulate inhibitory transmission in the brain. 

As well as unwanted effects related to direct drug effects, hypnotics, like many other medications, are associated with offset effects, namely withdrawal reactions after discontinuation, abrupt or gradual [4], Numerous terms are used in this context, and include those relating to non-medical use, i.e., abuse and addiction. The purpose of this chapter is to review briefly the clinical problems that can be encountered when discontinuing hypnotic dmgs within the normal therapeutic context. For a review on the abuse and dependence potential of the non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, zolpidem and zopiclone, reference should be made to the paper by Hajak et al. [5],... 

Omeprazole, like cimetidine, can impair benzodiazepine metabolism and lead to adverse effects (SEDA-18, 43). Other drugs, including antibiotics (erythromycin, chloramphenicol, isoniazid), antifungal drugs (ketoconazole, itraconazole, and analogues), some SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine), other antidepressants (nefazodone), protease inhibitors (saquinavir), opioids (fentanyl), calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil), and disulfiram also compete for hepatic oxidative pathways that metabolize most benzodiazepines, as well as zolpidem, zopiclone, and buspirone (SEDA-22,39) (SEDA-22,41). 

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