Twelve months of nightly zolpidem does not lead to rebound insomnia or withdrawal symptoms: A prospective placebo-controlled study
Journal of Psychopharmacology, 10/18/2011
Clinical Article
Roehrs TA et al. – The objectives of this study was to assess in primary insomniacs the likelihood of experiencing rebound insomnia and a withdrawal syndrome on repeated placebo substitutions over 12 months of nightly zolpidem use.
Methods- Group of 33 primary insomniacs, without psychiatric disorders or drug and alcohol abuse, 32–65 years old, 15 men and 18 women, were randomized to take zolpidem 10 mg (n = 17) or placebo (n = 16) nightly for 12 months
- In probes during months 1, 4, and 12, placebo was substituted for 7 consecutive nights in both zolpidem and placebo groups
- NPSGs collected and Tyrer Bezodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaires were completed on first 2 discontinuation nights
- Rebound insomnia was not observed on first 2 and seventh discontinuation nights and its likelihood did not increase over 12 months of nightly zolpidem use
- Some individuals did show rebound insomnia, approximately 30–40% of participants, but the percentage of ‘rebounders’ did not differ between placebo and zolpidem groups and did not increase across 12 months
- No clinically significant withdrawal symptoms on the Tyrer were observed on the discontinuation nights over the 12 months of nightly use
- Chronic nightly hypnotic use at therapeutic doses by primary insomniacs does not lead to rebound insomnia or withdrawal symptoms.
