Background: Zolpidem, a hypnotic drug, is occasionally taken in high doses by some drug addicts for its hallucinogenic properties.
Case report: We report the original observation of a young female addict who developed aseptic cutaneous abscesses on the forearms and feet induced by self injection of powdered zolpidem. Histopathological analysis revealed birefringent vegetal structures.
Discussion: The shape and size of the birefringent structures are those of microcrystalline cellulose, an excipient used in zolpidem pills. The same structures have been identified by microscopic examination of a zolpidem tablet dissolved in water.