Z-Drugs Reference Materials

Z-drugs are a group of non-benzodiazepine medications primarily used to treat sleeping disorders – but which also have potential for abuse, due to the euphoric or hypnotic effects they can cause when taken in larger doses. They may also be abused to augment the effects of other substances, or to counteract stimulant effects, and continued misuse can lead to tolerance, dependence, and adverse health effects.

Toxicological analysis for Z-drugs is performed in cases of potential drug misuse and overdose, or where their use is suspected. Most typically, they are screened for and quantified in biological samples using chromatography (GC or LC) coupled with mass spectrometry.

Z-drug reference materials play a crucial role in the validation and calibration of analytical methods, and help ensure accurate and reliable results that can be used in clinical and forensic toxicology casework.