[Zolpidem-induced sleep-related behavioural disorders].
OBJECTIVE
To present five patients with zolpidem-induced sleep-related behavioural disorders.


METHODS
Evaluation using a questionnaire designed to study sleep behaviours and past medical history in all patients.


RESULTS
The patients performed complex actions while sleep-walking (telephoning, house-cleaning, feeding the dog or waxing their legs). Inappropriate feeding behaviour with excessive food intake during the night were reported by all patients. All had weight gain, which in one patient led to extreme obesity. Two patients suffered injuries (knife cuts and burns) related to attempting to prepare food. One patient took a laxative.


CONCLUSIONS
Withdrawal of zolpidem resolved the behaviours in all cases, highlighting the importance of an adequate diagnosis of this side effect.
Servicio de Neurologia y Unidad Multidisciplinar de Trastornos del Sueño, Hospital Clinico de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
H
H
Pérez-Díaz
A
A
Iranzo
J
J
Santamaría
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain; D000077334:Zolpidem
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem