| Transient global amnesia-like episode due to mistaken intake of zolpidem: drug safety concern in the elderly. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19920437 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: Chronic insomnia is a common phenomenon among the elderly. Inaccurate handling and use of hypnotics in the elderly has become an important issue in patient safety. Older people who self-medicate often have a high risk for medication errors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We described here the case of a 65-year-old woman who experienced recurrent transient anterograde amnesia, anxiety, bewilderment, and repetitive questioning that lasted for 2 to 3 hours after erroneously taking zolpidem. This mistake was due to the similarity in appearance between zolpidem and her newly prescribed anticholesterol drug, ezetimibe. CONCLUSIONS: History of medication, particularly as regards hypnotics, should be carefully reviewed when a patient presents with transient global amnesia-like symptoms. The inadvertent use of drugs may be an underrecognized phenomenon among the elderly who self-medicate. When prescribing a new drug to elderly patients, especially hypnotics, physicians and pharmacists should educate them and their families about the proper use of these medications for their own safety. |
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Authors:
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Ming-Yen Tsai; Meng-Han Tsai; Shih-Chung Yang; Yu-Lung Tseng; Yao-Chung Chuang |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Case Reports; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of patient safety Volume: 5 ISSN: 1549-8425 ISO Abbreviation: J Patient Saf Publication Date: 2009 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-11-20 Completed Date: 2010-01-28 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101233393 Medline TA: J Patient Saf Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 32-4 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Aged Amnesia, Transient Global / chemically induced* Drug Toxicity* Female Humans Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage, adverse effects* Medication Errors / adverse effects* Pyridines / administration & dosage, adverse effects* Self Medication / adverse effects* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Hypnotics and Sedatives; 0/Pyridines; 82626-48-0/zolpidem |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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