Generic Name: zolpidem

What is zolpidem?
Zolpidem is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia). Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia. This medication causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Zolpidem may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

Pricing information provided by drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of zolpidem?

Zolpidem may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking zolpidem and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using zolpidem and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• worsening sleep problems;

• depressed mood, thoughts of hurting yourself;

• unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;

• aggression, feeling agitated;

• hallucinations, confusion, loss of personality.

Continue taking zolpidem and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• daytime drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, feeling "drugged" or light-headed;

• weakness, lack of coordination;

• amnesia, forgetfulness;

• vivid or abnormal dreams;

• diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;

• headache, muscle pain; or

• blurred vision.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take zolpidem?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Zolpidem comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Take zolpidem only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have a full 7 to 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping.

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What is the most important information I should know about zolpidem?
Zolpidem may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking zolpidem and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Zolpidem will make you fall asleep. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have a full 7 to 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping. Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking zolpidem and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Since zolpidem is usually taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Never take this medication if you do not have a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again. Do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect zolpidem?
Before taking zolpidem, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: itraconazole (Sporanox); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater); antidepressants such as imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or sertraline (Zoloft); or narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxers, seizure medications, or anti-anxiety medications. If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use zolpidem, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Zolpidem has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of incomplete ossification and increased postimplantation fetal loss at doses greater than seven times the maximum recommended human dose or higher; however, teratogenicity was not observed at any dose level. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. In one case report, zolpidem was found in cord blood at delivery. Zolpidem is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

According to one case report, zolpidem apparently crosses the placenta. In this report, a sample of cord blood at delivery revealed zolpidem (41 ng/mL) after an unknown amount was ingested by the mother for an unknown duration, possibly throughout pregnancy. The neonate did not exhibit withdrawal symptoms throughout the 48 hour observation period.

Zolpidem is excreted into human milk in very small amounts. Adverse effects in nursing infants have not been reported. Zolpidem is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to zolpidem or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of zolpidem can be fatal when it is taken together with other medications that can cause drowsiness. Symptoms of a zolpidem overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zolpidem?
Zolpidem will make you fall asleep. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have a full 7 to 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping. Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking zolpidem and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to zolpidem. Zolpidem tablets may contain lactose. Use caution if you are sensitive to lactose.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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