A case is presented of a 30-year-old man, prescribed zolpidem for insomnia arising from cocaine abuse, who sought to use this hypnotic to reduce his craving for cocaine. However, after taking cocaine and up to 300 mg/day zolpidem, he became euphoric and hyperactive. It is suggested that at high doses, zolpidem, like cocaine, has a stimulatory effect on the brain dopaminergic reward pathway. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 217-219 ).
Keywords: Abuse; Case Report; Cocaine; Zolpidem.