Sleeping pills "dexzopiclone", how to deal with overdose?

*For medical professionals only

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1.

Overdose

In clinical trials of dexzopiclone, a complete recovery was reported in a patient taking dexzopiclone 36 mg in an overdose dose. Since the listing of this product, there has also been a complete recovery of patients with spontaneous overdose of dexzopiclone 270 mg (equivalent to 90 times the maximum recommended dose of this product). Fatalities associated with dexzopiclone overdose have only been reported when dexzopiclone is combined with other central nervous system drugs or alcohol.

Amplification of preclinical efficacy can be considered signs and symptoms of taking an overdose of CENTRAL NERVOUS system depressants. May present with varying degrees of impaired consciousness from drowsiness to coma. After the marketing of racemic zopiclone in Europe, overdose deaths have rarely been reported, and such events are mostly associated with overdose of other central nervous system depressants [1-2].

2.

Processing scenarios

Gastric lavage, symptomatic and supportive care should be performed as soon as possible. Intravenous fluids if necessary, flumassinib may be useful. In all cases of overdose of the drug, the patient's breathing, pulse, blood pressure, and other appropriate signs should be monitored, along with some systemic supportive care, and cases of hypotension and central nervous system depression should be monitored and appropriately treated. Dialysis is not clear about the treatment of drug overdose.

As with all treatments for drug overdose, the possibility of multiple drug ingestion should be considered. Physicians may consider contacting a Poison Control Center for up-to-date information on the management of hypnotic drug product overdose [1-2].

▎Medication knowledge extension: Can it be prescribed for elderly patients?

It should be avoided in elderly patients. Dexzopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug that is identified in the Beers criteria as a potentially inappropriate drug avoided in patients aged 65 years and older (independent diagnosis or condition) due to adverse events similar to benzodiazepines in older adults (e.g., delirium, falls, fractures) and an increase in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and car accidents.

In addition, the improvement in sleep latency and duration of dexzopiclone was also very small [3].

bibliography:

[1] Drug information: Dexzopiclone tablets, Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sinopharm ZH20070069; 2019/01/01.

[2] Product Information: ESZOPICLONE tablet, film coated, Aurobindo Pharma Limited, UpdatedNovember 21, 2020.

[3] American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel:American Geriatrics Society 2019 updated AGS Beers Criteria(R) for potentiall yinappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2019;67(4):674-694.

Source: Clinical Pharmacy Channel of the Medical Community

Editor-in-charge: Ling Jun

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