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Rhee, Ko, Choi, and Park: High-Dose Zolpidem Dependence and Detoxification from Withdrawal Symptoms Using Diazepam
Case Report
Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2012; 51(3): 134-138.

Published online: 31 May 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jkna.2012.51.3.134

High-Dose Zolpidem Dependence and Detoxification from Withdrawal Symptoms Using Diazepam

Sang-Jin Rhee, MD1, Seok-Man Ko, MD2, Jung-Won Choi, MD3, Hanson Park, MD2, 4

1Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Psychiatry, St. Andrews Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Icheon, Korea.

3Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

4Department of Anthropology, College of Social Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Hanson Park, MD. Department of Psychiatry, St. Andrews Neuropsychiatric Hospital, 586-2 Pyogyo-ri, Majang-myeon, Icheon 467-813, Korea. Tel +82-31-639-3836, Fax +82-31-639-3830, hansonpark@snu.ac.kr

Received 12 December 2011       Revised 1 March 2012       Accepted 30 March 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Zolpidem is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic for the treatment of insomnia, and known as a relatively-safe medication. However, there have been several case reports of zolpidem abuse aand dependence these days. Even though some withdrawal symptoms like seizures can occur, there has not been any standard detoxification method until now. A high dose of zolpidem has similar pharmacological properties as the rest of the benzodiazepines, even though the usual dose of zolpidem has a selectivity to the type 1 benzodiazepine receptors. We report a rare case of high-dose addiction and successful detoxification by cross-titration with diazepam.

Keywords: Addiction, Dependence, Detoxification, Diazepam, Withdrawal, Zolpidem

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