title: Zolpidem intoxication mimicking narcotic overdose: response to flumazenil.
abstract: Zolpidem is a recently introduced sleep-inducer which is thought to act on the central-type benzodiazepine receptors. This observation is the first report of drug poisoning with this compound. The toxic response was characterized by the development of a profound but short-lasting coma, associated with pin-point pupils and respiratory depression, as observed in a narcotic overdose. These clinical signs were not influenced by the administration of naloxone, but responded dramatically to flumazenil. Some analytical data on zolpidem toxicokinetics are presented.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department and Clinical Toxicology Unit, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lheureux
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Debailleul
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: De Witte
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Askenasi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000506:poisoning*; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009294:Narcotics; D011725:Pyridines; D000431:Ethanol; D005442:Flumazenil; D000077334:Zolpidem