Open AccessHigh-dose zolpidem dependence - Psychostimulant effects? A case report and literature review
Author(s) -
Abhijna Chandan Chattopadhyay,
Lekhansh Shukla,
Arun Kandasamy,
Vivek Benegal
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
industrial psychiatry journal/industrial psychiatry journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0976-2795
pISSN - 0972-6748
DOI - 10.4103/ipj.ipj_80_14
Subject(s) - zolpidem , euphoriant , alprazolam , sedative , pharmacology , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , insomnia , anxiety
Zolpidem, an imidazoline nonbenzodiazepine sedative drug, is used widely. Initial reports showed minimal abuse potential. However, multiple reports have appeared of dose escalation and abuse. Subjective effects of high-dose zolpidem are not known. In light of accumulating evidence of abuse potential, we hereby report a case of high-dose dependence and a review of relevant literature. A 33-year-old male presented with 5 years of daily use of 600-1700 mg of zolpidem tartrate. He reported subjective effects of euphoria, intense craving, and inability to stop use. Loss of receptor specificity, pharmacokinetic factors, and different receptor distributions can explain paradoxical stimulatory effects of high-dose zolpidem. Further studies are required to characterize subjective effects of high-dose zolpidem.