BACKGROUND/
AIMS:
Zolpidem is a safe and effective
drug for the
treatment of
insomnia. However, there are some
reports of
adverse effects, such as
delirium, after
administration of
zolpidem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
incidence of and
risk factors for
zolpidem-induced
delirium.
METHODS:
This
retrospective study enrolled 481
patients who were admitted to
hospital and received
zolpidem between January and May 2011. We analyzed the
incidence and
risk factors associated with
zolpidem-induced
delirium.
RESULTS:
Zolpidem-induced
delirium occurred in 19 of 481 (4.0%)
patients.
Zolpidem-induced
delirium was significantly associated with old age (> or = 65 years;
odds ratio [OR] = 4.35, 95%
confidence interval [CI] = 1.52-12.44, p = 0.006) and co-
administration of
benzodiazepine (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.52-12.12, p = 0.006). When
males > 65 years-old took both
benzodiazepine and
zolpidem simultaneously, the
incidence of
delirium was notably elevated (OR = 6.04, 95% CI = 1.80-20.20, p = 0.003). Other factors, including
dosage, did not influence the occurrence of
delirium.
CONCLUSIONS:
Old age and co-
administration of
benzodiazepine were independent
risk factors for
zolpidem-induced
delirium. Therefore, a detailed medical
history should be taken before prescribing
zolpidem to an older
person, and
zolpidem should be used cautiously, with careful
monitoring, in these
patients.