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Zolpidem as a fatigue countermeasure
1School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|November 5, 1997
Summary
Zolpidem may help U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots combat fatigue during extended missions. This hypnotic offers potential benefits for performance with fewer side effects than other medications, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Human Performance Optimization
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Fatigue poses a significant risk to U.S. Air Force (USAF) mission effectiveness, especially with increasing global reach and sustained operations.
- Human performance is a critical limiting factor for advanced weapon systems in a smaller USAF.
- Pharmaceuticals are being explored as potential fatigue countermeasures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of zolpidem as a pharmaceutical countermeasure for fatigue in USAF operations.
- To assess zolpidem's safety and efficacy for aircrew during demanding missions.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature review.
- Examined studies on zolpidem's effects on performance and side effects.
Main Results:
- Zolpidem, a hypnotic, shows less impairment than benzodiazepines during peak effect.
- It appears free of persistent performance decrement or hangover effects.
- Studies suggest hypnotics like zolpidem can improve next-day performance compared to unmedicated, poor-quality sleep.
Conclusions:
- Further investigation into zolpidem's safety and efficacy is recommended for USAF sustained and extended air operations.
- Zolpidem presents a potential pharmaceutical countermeasure for aircrew fatigue.