| DRUG WATCH |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 43
| Issue : 6 | Page : 729-730 |
Zolpidem withdrawal delirium
Surendra K Mattoo1, Navendu Gaur1, Partha P Das2
1 Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
2 Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern Mental Health, Broadmeadows Acute Adult Inpatient Unit, 35 Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows, VIC-3047, USA
Correspondence Address:
Surendra K Mattoo
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.89838
The Z-category hypnotics are promoted for their relative safety. However, this view is challenged by the emerging clinical evidence in the form of zolpidem related intoxication delirium and seizures, and dependence and complicated withdrawal. We report the case of a zolpidem-naive alcohol-dependent inpatient that, while undergoing alcohol de-addiction, was prescribed zolpidem for insomnia and developed delirium during taper-off. He was successfully detoxified for alcohol, treated for delirium and put on disulfiram prophylaxis. The case highlights the need for being cautious while using zolpidem for insomnia in alcohol dependent subjects.
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