‘Z-trip’? A Comprehensive Overview and a Case-series of Zolpidem Misuse
10.9758/cpn.2021.19.2.367
- Author:
Laura ORSOLINI
1
;
Stefania CHIAPPINI
;
Paolo GRANDINETTI
;
Angelo BRUSCHI
;
Roberta TESTA
;
Alessandra PROVENZANO
;
Domenico De BERARDIS
;
Umberto VOLPE
Author Information
1. Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine and Surgery, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2021;19(2):367-387
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Although believed safer compared to short-acting benzodiazepines (BZD), in the past few years a growing concern has developed relating to the abuse of Z-drugs, and specifically of zolpidem. Here we aim to review the evidence for the misuse of zolpidem and describe several related cases collected in Italy. A comprehensive overview is here carried by using several databases, and by combining the search strategy of free text terms and exploding a range of MESH headings relating to the topics of Zolpidem and Abuse and/or Misuse as follows: ((Zolpidem [Title/Abstract]) AND (Abuse [Title/Abstract]) OR (Misuse [Title/Abstract])), without time and/or language restrictions. Furthermore, a case series of 8 cases of zolpidem misuse and/or abuse, collected in different Italian psychiatric settings (psychiatric public hospital, psychiatric private rehabilitation clinic, and private practice), have been here described. According to our findings, zolpidem should be prescribed with the same caution as BZDs, especially in patients with a history of drug abuse or in the elderly. Behavioural modifications, including bizarre behaviours, psychomotor agitation, sleep-related complex behaviours have been reported. Monitoring of zolpidem use in selected populations is warranted. Psychiatrists and physicians should be aware of the misuse potential of zolpidem and adopt measures restricting its use.
