title: Zolpidem abuse and dependency in an elderly patient with major depressive disorder: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug for treatment of insomnia. It has been introduced as a lower potential agent for dependency and abusive effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the reported case was a 62 years old female patient suffering simultaneously with Major Depressive Disorder and Opium Dependency. After abrupt discontinuation of zolpidem, 570 mg per day, she exhibited severe withdrawal symptoms, led her to be admitted to emergency department.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zolpidem has a potency to be abused with high risk of dependency and withdrawal syndromes particularly among elderly patients with comorbid anxiety/depressive symptoms/disorders.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pourshams
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Centre, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry- Faculty of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. malakoutik@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Seyed Kazem
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Malakouti
mesh_terms: D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics; D009892:Opium; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009294:Narcotics; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem; D009892:Opium