Z-drugs (The Other Benzos): An In-Depth Look at Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata

The Z-drugs: Ambien. Lunesta. Sonata. What are these? Are they benzos? Hypnotics? When did they hit the market? Can they cause dependence? Withdrawal? BIND? These questions and more will be discussed in our feature today.

In today’s episode, we focus on nonbenzodiazepines, or Z-drugs. How are they like benzodiazepines, and how are they different? We also answer some questions about dosage, duration, and rebounding and we hear a story of struggle from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/z-drugs-the-other-benzos-an-in-depth-look-at-ambien-lunesta-and-sonata-bfp111

Video ID: BFP111

Chapters

00:00 INTRODUCTION

02:09 My Podcast Voice

05:33 Progress on Website

06:33 Peer Support Training Update

09:10 Struggles, Symptoms, and the Podcast

14:47 A reason why, or just coincidence?

18:16 MAILBAG

18:58 Does dosage or duration matter?

21:24 Rebound from medical procedures?

24:31 BENZO STORY

32:28 FEATURE: Z-drugs

34:38 What are Z-drugs?

36:00 When did Z-drugs hit the market?

36:36 Do Z-drugs act like BZDs on the body?

37:54 Z-drugs often partnered with BZDs

39:46 What are Z-drugs prescribed for?

40:07 The Quest for the Magic Pill

42:04 Are Z-drugs less likely to cause symptoms?

45:06 What are the Z-drug side effects?

47:02 Are Z-drug symptoms different?

48:20 How to taper from Z-drugs?

49:05 BZD and Z-drug Terminology

51:48 MOMENT OF PEACE

 

Resources

The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.

FEATURE: Z-drugs

• Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. https://easinganxiety.com/ashton
• Brandt J, Leong C. Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs: An Updated Review of Major Adverse Outcomes Reported on in Epidemiologic Research. Drugs R D. 2017 Dec;17(4):493-507. doi: 10.1007/s40268-017-0207-7. PMID: 28865038; PMCID: PMC5694420. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694420/.
• Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, CO: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book
• Kay, Abigail L. et al. Drug Abuse, Dependency, and Withdrawal. Therapy in Sleep Medicine. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2009-0-40426-4.
• Schifano F, Chiappini S, Corkery JM, Guirguis A. An Insight into Z-Drug Abuse and Dependence: An Examination of Reports to the European Medicines Agency Database of Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2019 Apr 1;22(4):270-277. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyz007. PMID: 30722037; PMCID: PMC6441128. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441128/.
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Taking Z-drugs for Insomnia? Know the Risks. Last Updated April 30, 2019. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/taking-z-drugs-insomnia-know-risks.
• Waller, Derek G., Anthony P. Sampson. Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and insomnia. Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Fifth Edition. 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702071676000208.
• Wikipedia. Nonbenzodiazepine. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonbenzodiazepine.
• Z-Drug. ScienceDirect. 2022. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/z-drug.

 

The Podcast

The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).

WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com

MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx

DISCLAIMER

All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

CREDITS

Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio

— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press

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