Zolpidem - Zolpidem Zolpidem (trade name Ambien) is a prescription drug used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It works quickly (usually within 15 minutes) and has a short half-life (2-3 hours), but will last longer in patients with a damaged liver. It activates the same neuronal receptors as the benzodiazepines, but has a different chemical structure than these drugs. Zolpidem works by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain..
Gamma-aminobutyric acid - that GABA signals interfere with the registration and consolidation stages of memory formation. This is thought to be possible because the GABA system is found in the hippocampus, an area of brain which has been implicated in memory formation. Organisms synthesize GABA from glutamate using the enzyme L-glutamic acid decarboxylase and pyridoxal phosphate as a cofactor. Three types of GABA receptors: GABAA receptors GABAB receptors GABAC receptors Drugs which affect GABA receptors: alcohol carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate benzodiazepines and barbiturates baclofen GHB zolpidem.
Sedative - well-known barbiturates are secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and amobarbital (Amytal). Benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan) and chlorazepate (Tranxene). Many sedatives do not fit in either category. They include methaqualone (Sopor, Quaalude), ethchlorvynol (Placidyl), chloral hydrate (Noctec), meprobamate (Miltown), glutethimide (Doriden), methyprylon (Noludar), zolpidem (Ambien), alpidem, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) also have sedative effects, though not generally referred to as sedatives, and are sold as over-the-counter sleep aids. Herbs and plant-based drugs with sedative properties, such as valerian and mandrake, have been known since ancient times. Therapeutic Use Sedation is widely used by doctors and nurses to dull the anxiety related to painful or anxiety-provoking procedures. Athough sedatives do not relieve pain in themselves, they can be a useful adjunct to analgesics in.
