Higher-dose uses of zolpidem will increase the subsequent risk of developing benign brain tumors.

Abstract

This study identified 37,810 patients with anxiety or sleep disorder (mean age=53.2 years, SD=16.0 years) who had zolpidem prescribed for at least 2 months from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2009. Another non-zolpidem cohort was selected by 1:1 matching with the zolpidem cohort on the estimated probability (propensity score) of being treated. The zolpidem cohort had a higher incidence of benign brain tumors compared with the non-zolpidem cohort, particularly for elderly patients. The matched propensity score analysis showed that the highest risk of benign brain tumors occurred in participants with zolpidem exposure ≥520 mg/year (hazard ratio=1.85, 95% confidence interval=1.21-2.82) compared with those not taking zolpidem.

• Authors: Tomor Harnod, Yu-Fen Li, Cheng-Li Lin, Shih-Ni Chang, Fung-Chang Sung, Chia-Hung Kao
• Journal: The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences (J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci) Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pg. e107-11 ( 2015) ISSN: 1545-7222 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25923854 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• GABA-A Receptor Agonists
• Pyridines
• Zolpidem

Topics

• Adult
• Age Distribution
• Aged
• Anxiety (drug therapy)
• Brain Neoplasms (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• GABA-A Receptor Agonists (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Proportional Hazards Models
• Pyridines (adverse effects)
• Sex Distribution
• Zolpidem