Zaleplon
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Reactions 840 - 24 Feb 2001 Zaleplon Perceptual disorders: case report A 25-year-old woman developed perceptual disturbances after taking a single dose of zaleplon for insomnia. The woman became light-headed and experienced illusions within a couple of minutes of taking the first dose of her regimen of zaleplon 10mg at bedtime. She then experienced visual hallucinations, became apprehensive and depersonalised, and began to cry. Her illusions and hallucinations resolved after 15 minutes. During the night, the woman awoke a number of times. Her light-headedness and fatigue persisted until the following day, at which time, she was able to recall the episode clearly. She did not take any subsequent doses of zaleplon. Author comment: ‘It is possible that rapid absorption and rapidly rising plasma levels of zaleplon, presumably through omega receptors, may induce a hypnotic or dreamlike state and not true hallucinations’. Bhatia SC, et al. Perceptual disturbances with zaleplon. Psychiatric Services 52: 109-110, Jan 2001 - USA 800857814 1 Reactions 24 Feb 2001 No. 840 0114-9954/10/0840-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
Transcript of Zaleplon
Reactions 840 - 24 Feb 2001
Zaleplon
Perceptual disorders: case reportA 25-year-old woman developed perceptual disturbances
after taking a single dose of zaleplon for insomnia.The woman became light-headed and experienced illusions
within a couple of minutes of taking the first dose of herregimen of zaleplon 10mg at bedtime. She then experiencedvisual hallucinations, became apprehensive anddepersonalised, and began to cry. Her illusions andhallucinations resolved after 15 minutes.
During the night, the woman awoke a number of times. Herlight-headedness and fatigue persisted until the following day,at which time, she was able to recall the episode clearly. Shedid not take any subsequent doses of zaleplon.
Author comment: ‘It is possible that rapid absorption andrapidly rising plasma levels of zaleplon, presumably throughomega receptors, may induce a hypnotic or dreamlike state andnot true hallucinations’.Bhatia SC, et al. Perceptual disturbances with zaleplon. Psychiatric Services 52:109-110, Jan 2001 - USA 800857814
1
Reactions 24 Feb 2001 No. 8400114-9954/10/0840-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
