A 42-year-old woman comes to the office because of a difficulty initiating sleep and she is exhausted during the day. She avoids consuming alcohol and caffeine before bedtime and has begun to exercise every other afternoon. She also does not watch TV or use her phone shortly before she goes to bed. She has a family history of heart disease and depression. The patient has failed a number of nonpharmacological approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. She requests pharmacologic treatment and is prescribed a short course of zolpidem. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of action of this medication?

Question

A 42-year-old woman comes to the office because of a difficulty initiating sleep and she is exhausted during the day. She avoids consuming alcohol and caffeine before bedtime and has begun to exercise every other afternoon. She also does not watch TV or use her phone shortly before she goes to bed. She has a family history of heart disease and depression.  The patient has failed a number of nonpharmacological approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia.  She requests pharmacologic treatment and is prescribed a short course of zolpidem.  Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of action of this medication?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Nonbenzodiazepine medications (eg, zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone) stimulate specific subtypes of GABAA receptors. As a result, nonbenzodiazepines are primarily hypnotics and do not produce the anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, or anticonvulsant effects associated with benzodiazepines.

A 42-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office Because of a Difficulty