Zolpidem-induced sleep-related behavioural disorders

OBJECTIVE: To present five patients with zolpidem-induced sleep-related behavioural disorders. METHODS: Evaluation using a questionnaire designed to study sleep behaviours and past medical history in all patients. RESULTS: The patients performed complex actions while sleep-walking (telephoning, house-cleaning, feeding the dog or waxing their legs). Inappropriate feeding behaviour with excessive food intake during the night were reported by all patients. All had weight gain, which in one patient led to extreme obesity. Two patients suffered injuries (knife cuts and burns) related to attempting to prepare food. One patient took a laxative. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of zolpidem resolved the behaviours in all cases, highlighting the importance of an adequate diagnosis of this side effect. Language: es