Epidemiological evidence for a low abuse potential of zolpidem

The abuse risk of new non-benzodiazepine hypnotics such as zolpidem has bee n discussed in a number of recent publications. We performed a Medline anal ysis which showed that, to date, 15 cases of abuse or dependence have been published. In 6 patients, the abuse was secondary to other forms of abuse O F dependence. Other data from medical statistics and pharmacoepidemiologica l studies suggest the abuse potential of zolpidem to be much lower than tha t of other hypnotics. We conclude that zolpidem is a relatively safe drug c ompared to conventional hypnotics. Patients with other substance abuse hist ories may be considered as risk patients for later abuse of zolpidem.