Z-drug

English

Etymology

Most of their names start with the letter Z, e.g. zopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem.

Noun

Z-drug (plural Z-drugs)

1. Any of a group of nonbenzodiazepine drugs with effects similar to benzodiazepines, used in the treatment of insomnia.

   Synonym: (slang) Z

   • 2015 July 4, André S. Pollmann et al., “Deprescribing benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in community-dwelling adults: a scoping review”, in BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology‎^[1], volume 16, →DOI:

     Estimates of effect size direction, while not attributable to a specific intervention or intervention type, were mixed with 47 % of trials being positive, 41 % negative, and 12 % undetermined, suggesting a lack of clarity regarding how to best deprescribe benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.