What is Zolpidem?

Commonly Used Brand Name(s)Ambien, Ambien CR

Therapeutic ClassificationsNonbarbiturate Hypnotic

OverviewTOP

Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping). It belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants. These medicines will slow down the nervous system. Zolpidem will help you get to sleep faster and sleep through the night. In most cases, sleep medicines should only be used for short periods of time, such as 1 or 2 days, and for no longer than 1 or 2 weeks.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Proper UseTOP

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence).

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Take zolpidem just before going to bed, when you are ready to go to sleep. This medicine works very quickly to put you to sleep.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew it.

Do not take this medicine when your schedule does not permit you to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours). If you must wake up before this, you may continue to feel drowsy and may experience memory problems, because the effects of the medicine have not had time to wear off.

Zolpidem should not be taken with food or right after a meal. It will work faster if you take it on an empty stomach.

Do not take this medicine if you have drank alcohol the same evening.

DosingTOP

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For treatment of insomnia:
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
  - Adults—6.25 milligrams (mg) (for women) or 6.25 or 12.5 mg (for men) once a day at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, do not take more than 12.5 mg per day. Take only 1 dose a night if needed.
  - Older adults—6.25 mg once a day at bedtime.
  - Children—Use is not recommended.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
  - Adults—5 milligrams (mg) for women and 5 or 10 mg for men once a day at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, do not take more than 10 mg per day. Take only 1 dose a night if needed.
  - Older adults—5 mg once a day at bedtime.
  - Children—Use is not recommended.

Missed DoseTOP

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Use this medicine only when you cannot sleep. You do not need to keep a schedule for taking it.

Use & StorageTOP

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Before UsingTOP

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

PediatricTOP

Use of zolpidem is not recommended in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

GeriatricTOP

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zolpidem in the elderly. However, confusion, dizziness, and falling are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of zolpidem.

PregnancyTOP

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast FeedingTOP

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug InteractionsTOP

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Sodium Oxybate

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Alfentanil
Alprazolam
Amobarbital
Anileridine
Baclofen
Boceprevir
Bromazepam
Bromopride
Buprenorphine
Buspirone
Butabarbital
Butorphanol
Carbinoxamine
Carisoprodol
Ceritinib
Chloral Hydrate
Chlordiazepoxide
Chlorpromazine
Chlorzoxazone
Clarithromycin
Clobazam
Clonazepam
Clorazepate
Cobicistat
Codeine
Conivaptan
Cyclobenzaprine
Dexmedetomidine
Diacetylmorphine
Diazepam
Difenoxin
Dihydrocodeine
Diphenhydramine
Diphenoxylate
Doxylamine
Estazolam
Eszopiclone
Ethchlorvynol
Ethylmorphine
Fentanyl
Flibanserin
Flumazenil
Flunitrazepam
Flurazepam
Fospropofol
Halazepam
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Hydroxyzine
Idelalisib
Indinavir
Itraconazole
Ketazolam
Ketobemidone
Ketoconazole
Levorphanol
Lopinavir
Lorazepam
Meclizine
Meperidine
Mephobarbital
Meprobamate
Meptazinol
Metaxalone
Methadone
Methocarbamol
Methohexital
Methotrimeprazine
Midazolam
Morphine
Morphine Sulfate Liposome
Nalbuphine
Nefazodone
Nelfinavir
Netupitant
Nicomorphine
Nitrazepam
Opium
Opium Alkaloids
Orphenadrine
Oxazepam
Oxycodone
Oxymorphone
Papaveretum
Paregoric
Pentazocine
Pentobarbital
Perampanel
Periciazine
Phenobarbital
Piritramide
Posaconazole
Prazepam
Primidone
Promethazine
Propofol
Quazepam
Ramelteon
Remifentanil
Ritonavir
Saquinavir
Secobarbital
Sufentanil
Tapentadol
Telaprevir
Telithromycin
Temazepam
Thiopental
Thioridazine
Tilidine
Tizanidine
Topiramate
Tramadol
Triazolam
Voriconazole
Zaleplon
Zolpidem
Zopiclone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Other InteractionsTOP

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol

PrecautionsTOP

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Zolpidem may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.

If you think you need to take zolpidem for more than 7 to 10 days, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Insomnia that lasts longer than this may be a sign of another medical problem.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Even though zolpidem is taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Also, this medicine may cause double vision or other vision problems, or severe injuries (eg, hip fractures, severe bleeding in the head). Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert or not able to see well.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking zolpidem, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

This medicine may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning. It is possible you could drive a car, sleepwalk, have sex, make phone calls, or prepare and eat food while you are asleep or not fully awake. Tell your doctor right away if you learn that this has happened.

Do not change your dose or stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of zolpidem or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with zolpidem may lead to breathing problems and unconsciousness. Some signs of an overdose are severe drowsiness, severe nausea or vomiting, staggering, and troubled breathing.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.