Purpose: Zaleplon is a newly-developed rapid-acting non-benzodiazepine hypnotic. Few reports discuss zaleplon-induced somnambulism. This report describes a patient without history of somnambulism, who developed amnesic somnambulism after taking low-dose of zaleplon.
Case report: A 43-year-old schizophrenic male without history of physical illness, seizure, or somnambulism developed amnesic somnambulism after taking once low-dose of zaleplon from the outpatient-department. Somnambulism did not reoccur after discontinuing zaleplon. However, similar behaviors recurred after accidentally prescribing zaleplon on the first-day of hospitalization.
Conclusion: This patient is the first case without history of somnambulism, who developed zaleploninduced somnambulism after taking low-dose of zaleplon. This study underscores the importance of monitoring for zaleplon-induced somnambulism, even when administering low-dosage to those without risk factors or history of somnambulism.