RWJ-51204

RWJ-51204 is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic compound that was developed by Johnson & Johnson in the 1990s. It is a pyrazolopyrimidine derivative, and it is structurally distinct from other nonbenzodiazepine drugs like zolpidem and zaleplon.

History

RWJ-51204 was first synthesized in the 1990s by a team of researchers at Johnson & Johnson. The compound was developed as part of a broader effort to create new nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics that could be used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Pharmacology

RWJ-51204 is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, which means it is designed to induce sleep. Like other drugs in this class, it works by modulating the activity of GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. However, unlike benzodiazepines, which enhance GABA activity across the entire brain, nonbenzodiazepines like RWJ-51204 are thought to target specific subtypes of the GABA receptor, potentially reducing the risk of side effects.

Clinical Trials

In the early 2000s, Johnson & Johnson conducted a series of clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RWJ-51204. These trials showed that the drug was effective at reducing sleep latency and increasing total sleep time in patients with insomnia. However, the development of RWJ-51204 was ultimately discontinued for reasons that have not been publicly disclosed.

See Also

• Nonbenzodiazepine
• Hypnotic
• Insomnia
• Sleep disorders
• Clinical trials