[Abuse, tolerance and dependence of zolpidem: three case reports]

Zolpidem is an imidazopyridine, which acts at the benzodiacepine omega1 receptor subtype. Zolpidem was marketed as a short-acting hypnotic and it was assumed that had a lower potential for abuse than benzodiacepines. Since 1993, several cases of zolpidem dependence have been reported. We have observed three patients with abuse, dependence and withdrawal syndrome to zolpidem. Two of them had history of drugs abuse and all of them developed withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing it. In Spain, zolpidem may be sold without medical prescription like other non benzodiacepines hypnotics and it may be playing an important role in the increase of abuse cases. We think zolpidem should be considered as a benzodiacepine with the same control and regulation.