Among the prescription hypnotic drugs, a group of hypnotics called benzodiazepine agonists were developed in the l960's. These sleep-promoting drugs have since proven effective and safe. All hypnotics induce and maintain sleep. The benzodiazepines agonists work by acting at areas in the brain believed to be involved in sleep promotion. They are the drugs of choice because they have the highest benefit and the lowest risk as sleep-promoting drugs.
Hypnotics differ by half-life as well as chemical structure.
Half-life refers to how long a drug is active in the body. Drugs that have a shorter half-life are effective in the body for a shorter time. Shorter half-lives are usually preferred so that daytime functioning is not impaired the next day or after waking. Hypnotics also differ in the dose range over which they are effective. Scientists have established the effective dose range for each hypnotic.