Q: 52 year old male patient has been overdosed in ICU with Ambien (Zolpidem) due to medication error. What intervention may help to diagnose as well as reverse the effect of Ambien?


Answer: Flumazenil

Zolpidem's (ambien) hypnotic effects are similar to those of the benzodiazepine, though molecularly it is distinct from the classical benzodiazepine. But due to similarlity in their hypnotic effects, Flumazenil which is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, also reverses zolpidem's sedative/hypnotic effect.