Alpidem

Alpidem is a prescription drug used for the treatment of moderate to severe anxiety. Alpidem, a fairly new drug, is not in wide use. Alpidem, in pure form, is only available generically, but is an additonal substance in a few prescription anxiolytic drugs. Alpidem acts selectively on the omega 1 (BZ1) receptor subtype, a benzodiazepine receptor. However, alpidem is not considered of the benzodiazepine class, but is rather a imidazopyridine. Alpidem is a close relative of zolpidem, but does not possess zolpidem's sedative property.

Uses

Alpidem is generally prescribed to patients with moderate to severe anxiety. Most of these patients have exhibited either sensitivity or resistance to benzodiazepine therapy, and therefore switched to a non-benzodiazepine medication. See also anxiolytic. Alpidem does not produce significant, if any, sedative or hypnotic action. Alpidem is also used as an anticonvulsant at higher doses.

References and notes

1. Zivkovic B, Morel E, Joly D, Perrault G, Sanger DJ, Lloyd KG.. "Pharmacological and behavioral profile of alpidem as an anxiolytic." Synthelabo Recherche, L.E.R.S., Bagneux, France. 1990 May;23 Suppl 3:108-13. PMID 1974069

2. Sanger DJ, Zivkovic B.. "Discriminative stimulus effects of alpidem, a new imidazopyridine anxiolytic." Synthelabo Recherche, Bagneux, France. 1994 Jan;113(3-4):395-403. PMID 7862851

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