title: The Use of Z-Drugs to Facilitate Sexual Assault.
abstract: Zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon are commonly referred to as the "Z-drugs." The Z-drugs are nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Since becoming widely prescribed as sleep aids in the United States, they are increasingly being detected in a variety of forensic specimens. We present a comprehensive overview of the basic chemistry, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon, including their interaction with other prescription drugs and ethanol, findings in drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) casework, and methods of analysis.
authors.affiliation: Teri Stockham, Ph.D., Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Stockham
authors.affiliation: Regional Forensic Science Center, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Rohrig
keywords: Drug-facilitated sexual assault; zaleplon; zolpidem; zopiclone