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Review
. 2007 Aug;64(2):198-209.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02861.x. Epub 2007 Feb 23.

Evidence of zolpidem abuse and dependence: results of the French Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP) network survey

Caroline Victorri-Vigneau  1 , Eric Dailly, Gwenaëlle Veyrac, Pascale Jolliet
Affiliations
Review

Evidence of zolpidem abuse and dependence: results of the French Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP) network survey

Caroline Victorri-Vigneau et al. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Aug.

Abstract

Aim: To show that the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic zolpidem has a higher abuse potential than previously documented.

Method: An official enquiry was carried out by the Nantes Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP). The authors made a review of literature and analysed French data corresponding to the drug's postmarketing period collected by the CEIP network from 1993 to 2002.

Results: The literature review yielded mixed results concerning the behavioural effects of zolpidem. Data from the CEIP and the 53 literature case reports highlight significant dependence and abuse potential of zolpidem.

Conclusions: This study adds to the growing evidence that zolpidem has the potential for abuse and dependence. As a consequence, the French drug monograph has been modified by the French Health Authorities.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of notifications concerning zolpidem reported to the French network of Centres for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP) over a period of 10 years. The percentage of notifications including zolpidem reported to the CEIP network has increased significantly since 1993
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of falsified or forged prescriptions (OSIAP) concerning zolpidem reported to the French network of Centres for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP) over time. The percentage of notifications concerning zolpidem reported to the CEIP network has increased significantly since 1995
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