title: Zolpidem-induced psychosis.
abstract: Zolpidem is reported to be a safe and effective hypnotic agent for the short-term treatment of insomnia. There are several case reports of zolpidem causing psychotic reactions in patients with no history of psychosis. We report two additional cases in which zolpidem was implicated in psychotic reactions characterized by auditory and visual hallucinations as well as delusional thinking. Both patient's symptoms resolved with the discontinuation of zolpidem use. It appears that our cases share several features in common with the other reported cases. All were female, there appeared to be some dose dependency involved, and the adverse event resolved fairly quickly upon zolpidem discontinuation. Zolpidem should be used at the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time as necessary. Female patients may possibly require smaller doses. In patients manifesting new-onset or unexplained psychotic symptoms, zolpidem use should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0810, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Markowitz
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Brewerton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy; D002032:Bulimia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem