Zolpidem Overdose: A Medical and Ethical Dilemma

Am J Ther. 2016 Nov/Dec;23(6):e1956-e1957. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000380.

Abstract

Acute altered mental status can be caused by a broad range of etiologies, including cerebrovascular, neurologic, traumatic, metabolic, infectious, psychiatric, medications, etc. We present a case of a 53-year-old healthcare professional with an acute altered mental status after a trip to Africa. The patient was extensively worked up for infectious, cardiovascular, and neurologic etiologies, and all results were within normal limits. Further history revealed an overdose of a self-medicated hypnotic (zolpidem) for insomnia. The patient was conservatively managed and discharged on trazadone for insomnia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aggression
  • Delirium / chemically induced*
  • Drug Overdose*
  • Ethics
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / poisoning*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health
  • Pyridines / poisoning*
  • Risk
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Zolpidem

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Pyridines
  • Zolpidem