Zolpidem Withdrawal Symptoms in Schizophrenia – A Case Report

Background: Substance abuse and dependence are common psychiatric co-morbidities in schizophrenia. Many cases of withdrawal symptoms with high doses of zolpidem dependence were reported in mood or anxiety disorders. Here, we present a case of zolpidem withdrawal in a schizophrenia patient. Case report: A 51-year-old male diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia presented with restlessness, headache, threatening violence, and craving for zolpidem within about two hours of stopping the drug. Zolpidem was prescribed for insomnia. He developed dependence and experienced withdrawal symptoms even with a one-hour delay in getting zolpidem. It was successfully treated with 1mg of clonazepam. Discussion: Schizophrenic patients often abuse zolpidem, leading to dependence and withdrawal when prescribed for insomnia. Severe withdrawal symptoms can occur with a lower dose of zolpidem. Zolpidem withdrawal can be treated with benzodiazepines like clonazepam.