The Use of Z-Drugs to Facilitate Sexual Assault

T L Stockham; T P Rohrig

The Use of Z-Drugs to Facilitate Sexual Assault

Forensic Sci Rev. 2010 Jan;22(1):61-73.

Authors

T L Stockham¹, T P Rohrig²

Affiliations

¹ Teri Stockham, Ph.D., Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
² Regional Forensic Science Center, Wichita, KS, USA.

PMID: 26242456

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.

Keywords: Drug-facilitated sexual assault; zaleplon; zolpidem; zopiclone.

Publication types

Review