What is Zolpidem?

Zolpidem is sold under various brand names.

Zolpidem Uses:

Zolpidem is used in adults to treat insomnia, helping individuals fall asleep faster and improve their night time rest. It belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which exert a calming effect on the brain. Typically, Zolpidem is prescribed for short-term treatment periods of 1 to 2 weeks or less.

Zolpidem Side Effects:

Common Side Effects of Zolpidem:

Serious Side Effects of Zolpidem:

Zolpidem can also cause some other serious side effects. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual problems while you are taking these medications

Precautions Before Taking Zolpidem

How to take Zolpidem?

Zolpidem comes in the form of tablet (Ambien) and an extended-release tablet (Ambien CR) which should be taken orally. Zolpidem also comes as a sublingual tablet which should be placed under the tongue and an oral spray. If you are taking tablets, extended-release tablets, sublingual tablets or oral spray, you should take the drug immediately before bedtime but not more than once a day.

Dosage of Zolpidem

Generic: Zolpidems

Brand: Ambien

Form: immediate-release oral tablet (5 mg, 10 mg)

Brand: Ambien CR

Form: extended-release oral tablet (6.25 mg, 12.5 mg)

Brand: Edluar

Form: sublingual tablet (5 mg, 10 mg)

Brand: Intermezzo

Form: sublingual tablet (1 .75 mg, 3.5mg)

Missed Dose of Zolpidem

If you miss a dose, avoid taking Zolpidem tablets unless you have time to sleep for 7 to 8 hours afterwards. Skip the missed dose and go back to your daily dosing cycle if you miss a dose of this drug. Do not use duplicate doses. Using this medicinal product only when you are unable to sleep.

Overdose Effects of Zolpidem

Symptoms of overdose can include extreme drowsiness, confusion, lack of balance, severe muscle weakness, fainting, or shallow breathing. If you have taken more than the prescribed Zolpidem tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Warnings for Some Serious Health Conditions

For people with Depression:

Your symptoms of depression can get worse with this medication. If this prescription is safe for you or not, ask your doctor.

For people with Myasthenia Gravis:

This medicine can make your breathing sluggish or shallow. The amount of oxygen in your blood can be decreased by this. You could still have lower levels of oxygen if you have myasthenia gravis. If this prescription is safe for you, ask your doctor.

For people with Sleep Apnea:

This medicine can make your breathing sluggish or shallow. The amount of oxygen in your blood can be decreased by this. You could already have lower levels of oxygen if you have sleep apnea. If this prescription is safe for you, ask your doctor.

For people with Liver Disease:

You may not be able to process this drug well if you have liver disorders or a history of liver disease. This can increase your body's levels of the drug and cause further side effects. A severe disorder called hepatic encephalopathy can also be caused by it. For this disease, your liver's poor function causes complications with your brain's way of functioning.

Pregnancy

Only if the potential advantage justifies the potential risk should this drug be used. If you're pregnant or intend to become pregnant, speak to your doctor. And contact your doctor immediately if you get pregnant while you are taking this medication.

Breastfeeding

In a child who is breastfed, Zolpidem can pass into breast milk and cause side effects. Speak to your doctor about your child's breastfeeding. If you want to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this drug, you will need to decide..