ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 4 February 2004
Page Count: 2

Hallucinations with Zolpidem and Fluoxetine in an Impaired Driver
Coleman, DE
Toxicology Laboratory, CA

Ota, K
Toxicology Laboratory, CA

(Received 12 May 2003; accepted 28 September 2003)

Abstract

A 54-year-old malewas observed driving erratically. The subject displayed both horizontal and vertical nystagmus and poor balance on field sobriety tests (FST's). Further observations included slow movements, breathing, and speech, extremely poor coordination, lack of convergence, and pupils with slow reaction to light. The subject related he was seeing roadway lines doubled and felt a hallucinogenic effect. Breath alcohol results were negative. Blood tests found zolpidem and fluoxetine in addition to hydrocodone at therapeutic levels. This case is presented as an example of hallucinogenic effects from the combination of zolpidem and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic toxicology, zolpidem, fluoxetine, hallucinations

Paper ID: JFS2003171
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003171
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