Cyclopyrrolones are a family of
hypnotic and
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxiet ...
nonbenzodiazepine drugs with similar pharmacological profiles to the
benzodiazepine derivatives.
Although cyclopyrrolones are chemically unrelated to benzodiazepines, they function via the
benzodiazepine receptor of
neurotransmitter GABA.
The best-known cyclopyrrolone derivatives are
zopiclone
Zopiclone, sold under the brand name Imovane among others, is a nonbenzodiazepine used to treat difficulty sleeping. Zopiclone is molecularly distinct from benzodiazepine drugs and is classed as a cyclopyrrolone. However, zopiclone increases t ...
(Imovane) and its
active single-enantiomer component,
eszopiclone
Eszopiclone, sold under the brand-name Lunesta among others such as Night Calm in Egypt, is a medication used in the treatment of insomnia. Evidence supports slight to moderate benefit up to six months. It is taken orally.
Common side effects i ...
(Lunesta), which are used to treat
insomnia
Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder in which people have trouble sleeping. They may have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep as long as desired. Insomnia is typically followed by daytime sleepiness, low energy, ...
, and have a known potential for abuse. Other cyclopyrrolones include:
*
Pagoclone
Pagoclone is an anxiolytic agent from the cyclopyrrolone family, related to better-known drugs such as the sleeping medication zopiclone. It was synthesized by a French team working for Rhone-Poulenc & Rorer S.A. Pagoclone belongs to the class of ...
– anxiolytic
*
Pazinaclone
Pazinaclone (DN-2327) is a sedative and anxiolytic drug in the cyclopyrrolone family of drugs. Some other cyclopyrrolone drugs include zopiclone and eszopiclone.
Pazinaclone has a very similar pharmacological profile to the benzodiazepines inc ...
– anxiolytic
*
Suproclone
Suproclone is a sedative and anxiolytic drug in the cyclopyrrolone family of drugs, developed by the French pharmaceutical company Rhône-Poulenc. Other cyclopyrrolone drugs include zopiclone, pagoclone and suriclone.
Suproclone is very simila ...
– anxiolytic
*
Suriclone
Suriclone (Suril) is a sedative and anxiolytic drug in the cyclopyrrolone family of drugs. Other cyclopyrrolone drugs include zopiclone and pagoclone.
Suriclone has a very similar pharmacological profile to the benzodiazepine family of drugs inc ...
– anxiolytic
References
Chemical classes of psychoactive drugs
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