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Zolpidem-induced psychosis
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0810, USA.
Summary
Zolpidem, a common insomnia medication, can cause psychotic reactions like hallucinations and delusions in some patients, particularly women. Discontinuing zolpidem use often resolves these adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Zolpidem is a widely prescribed hypnotic for short-term insomnia treatment.
- Case reports suggest zolpidem may induce psychotic reactions in individuals without prior psychosis history.
Observation:
- Two new cases of zolpidem-induced psychosis are presented, featuring hallucinations and delusions.
- These patients, like others reported, were female, and symptoms appeared dose-dependent.
Findings:
- Psychotic symptoms resolved upon zolpidem discontinuation in both reported cases.
- Shared characteristics across cases include female gender, potential dose-dependency, and rapid symptom resolution after cessation.
Implications:
- Zolpidem should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
- Female patients may necessitate lower dosages.
- Consider zolpidem in the differential diagnosis for new-onset psychotic symptoms.