Abusive use of Zolpidem as a Result of COVID-19 and Perspectives of Continuity of the Problem in the Post-Pandemic Period

Title:Abusive use of Zolpidem as a Result of COVID-19 and Perspectives of Continuity of the Problem in the Post-Pandemic Period

Volume: 22 Issue: 10

Author(s): Wesley Dawison de Lima, Michael Douglas da Silva, Eurico de Souza Costa, Francisco Irochima Pinheiro, Eduardo Pereira de Azevedo, Ricardo Ney Cobucci, José Rodolfo Lopes de Paiva Cavalcanti and Fausto Pierdoná Guzen*

Affiliation:

• Posgraduate Program of Biotechnology, Health School - Potiguar University (UnP), Natal-RN, Brazil
• Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró-RN, Brazil
• Postgraduate Program in Health and Society, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró-RN, Brazil

Abstract: Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug that works as a positive modulator of Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid-A (GABA-A) receptors, with high selectivity for α1 subunits. Given this selective binding, the drug has a strong hypnotic activity. Social isolation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has contributed to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. As a result, studies have pointed to a possible increase in the indiscriminate use of drugs with sedative effects, such as Zolpidem, during the pandemic. The aim of this work was to present prospective evidence that warns of the possibility of the abusive use of Zolpidem even after the pandemic. High rates of addiction to this drug have been reported around the world after the emergence of the coronavirus. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and from Medicaid support the continuing growth in prescription and indiscriminate use of Zolpidem during the pandemic and afterward. Therefore, there is enough evidence to support the indiscriminate use of this drug since the beginning of the pandemic. Rates of indiscriminate use of sedatives may continue to increase in the post-pandemic period, especially if strict control measures are not taken by health authorities.

Cite this article as:

de Lima Dawison Wesley, da Silva Douglas Michael, de Souza Costa Eurico, Pinheiro Irochima Francisco, de Azevedo Pereira Eduardo, Cobucci Ney Ricardo, de Paiva Cavalcanti Rodolfo Lopes José and Guzen Pierdoná Fausto*, Abusive use of Zolpidem as a Result of COVID-19 and Perspectives of Continuity of the Problem in the Post-Pandemic Period, Current Neuropharmacology 2024; 22 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X21666230920123401