Zolpidem

Description

Zolpidem is a hypnotic and sedative which is used in severe sleep disorder. This medicine may increase the risk of habit forming tendency if taken for a long duration or at larger doses. Do not stop abruptly taking this medicine as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Zolpidem

  • Unsteadiness
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Drowsiness
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea or Vomiting

Uses of Zolpidem

What is it prescribed for?

  • Insomnia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed within 30 minutes to 2 hours of administration of the dose.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 7 to 8 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration. Do not perform activities that require mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Habit forming tendency has been reported
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women unless necessary. It may cause respiratory depression in the neonates. The benefits and risks should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is known to excreted in breast milk. It is used in pregnant women only if necessary. Monitoring of excessive sleep, weakness and others changes in the behavior is necessary.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Zolpidem.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women unless necessary. It may cause respiratory depression in the neonates. The benefits and risks should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is known to excreted in breast milk. It is used in pregnant women only if necessary. Monitoring of excessive sleep, weakness and others changes in the behavior is necessary.
General warnings

Withdrawal symptoms

Zolpidem should not be stopped immediately without informing the doctor due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety. Gradual dose reduction should be made based on the outcomes in the patient.

Impaired liver function

Zolpidem should be used with caution in the patients with mild to moderate liver injury. Lowest possible doses should be initiated and increase the dose based on the patient's response. This medicine is not recommended in patients with severe liver impairment.

Suicidal thoughts

Use of benzodiazepines in depression conditions may increase the risk of suicide. Therefore this medicine should be used with caution and prescription size should be limited in patients with depression or suicidal tendencies.

Dependency

Zolpidem have the tendency to cause dependency and abuse particularly after prolonged use or excessive dosages. Individuals with a history of alcohol or substance abuse should be treated carefully when they are on Zolpidem. The withdrawal of this medicine should be tapered off gradually.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Zolpidem, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Concomitant use of sedative and hypnotics with alcohol will increase the central nervous system and respiratory system depression.

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, difficulty in concentration. Do not perform activities that require mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.
Interaction with Medicine

Opoids

Antihypertensives

Disease interactions

Depression

Zolpidem should be used with caution in the patients with the history of depression or a family history of depression. The prescription size should be limited. Any symptoms of mood changes should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Zolpidem as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous

To be taken on an empty stomach

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
It works by decreasing the excitability of brain cells and induces sleep.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 6 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25408

Zolpidem: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 6 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693025.html

DailyMed - Zolpidem tartrate tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 6 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=de965605-268a-4479-86f7-84de949cf36f

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 6 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 6 May 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~xB2cce:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 20 Aug 2018

Disclaimer

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