Related Experiment Videos
Detoxification from high-dose zolpidem using diazepam
Leonard R Rappa1, Margareth Larose-Pierre, Deidre R Payne
1Psychiatry Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Miami Campus, Miami, FL 33136-1038, USA.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|February 18, 2004
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of zolpidem addiction, successfully treated with a diazepam tapering regimen. It highlights zolpidem
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Zolpidem, a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, is approved for short-term insomnia treatment.
- Its mechanism involves selective binding to benzodiazepine type 1 receptors.
- While generally considered to have low addiction potential, this case explores higher-dose usage.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old male with polysubstance abuse history developed physical and psychological dependence on zolpidem.
- Dosage escalated to 400 mg/day over two years.
- Patient underwent detoxification in a hospital setting.
Findings:
- A standard 7-day diazepam tapering regimen, typically used for benzodiazepine withdrawal, was employed.
- The detoxification protocol proved successful in managing zolpidem withdrawal symptoms.
- This suggests similar addictive potential to benzodiazepines at high, sustained doses.
Implications:
- Zolpidem's receptor selectivity may not be absolute and is dose-dependent.
- High-dose, long-term zolpidem use can lead to addiction comparable to benzodiazepines.
- Standard benzodiazepine detoxification protocols may be effective for managing zolpidem dependence.