Wednesday, July 18, 2018

“Z” Class Sleeping Medications and Their Alternatives


Based in Roanoke, Virginia, Ashok Pinnamaraju, PhD, guides Williamson Road Pharmacy, where he emphasizes customer-centered service. With a doctorate in pharmacy from Oregon State University, Dr. Ashok Pinnamaraju is knowledgeable about the full range of medications his retail location stocks.

There are several classes of drugs available for insomnia and other sleep disorders, including the “Z” sedative-hypnotics, which work as agonists and facilitators of the GABAA receptors, which inhabit the central nervous system and are linked with brain activity. 

Among the first-line drugs in this class are zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Intermezzo, Ambien), and eszopiclone (Lunesta). One thing to be aware of with these controlled substances is that there are dependency risks, so they should be taken with caution. Potential side effects include residual drowsiness and dizziness the next day, as well as vivid dreams and parasomnias.

By contrast, benzodiazepines do not last as long and are accompanied by fewer “hangover” symptoms the next day. However, they, too, must be taken with caution, as their binding to GABAA receptors is less selective and dependence is a serious issue. For many people, melatonin, which occurs naturally as a hormone, is a less disruptive alternative that also has uses in fighting jet lag.