Is zolpidem known to trigger sleepwalking episodes in some people?

Zolpidem is a medication often used to help with sleep problems. However, it can sometimes cause people to do things while they are still asleep, like sleepwalking.

Key Points:

• Sleepwalking: According to the systematic review by Stallman et al., medications like zolpidem can trigger sleepwalking episodes in certain individuals.
• Complex Behaviors: Dolder and Nelson highlight that hypnosedatives, including zolpidem, can lead to complex behaviors such as sleep driving and sleep self-intoxication, which occur without the person being fully awake.
• Rare but Serious: Paulke et al. describe instances where zolpidem use resulted in sleep-related activities that are potentially dangerous, such as sleep driving.

If you or someone you know experiences these behaviors while taking zolpidem, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider. They can help determine the best course of action. For more information on mental health support, visit 988lifeline.org.