Zolpidem is used to treat sleep problems (insomnia). It may help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and reduce the number of times you awaken during the night. Zolpidem belongs to a class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect.

This medication is usually limited to short-term treatment periods of 1-2 weeks or less.

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using zolpidem and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once nightly immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach, or as directed by your doctor. Do not take it with food because the effect of the medication will be delayed.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to therapy. Do not take more than 10 milligrams per day.

Although unlikely, this drug can infrequently cause temporary memory loss. To avoid this effect, do not take a dose of this drug unless you have time for a full night's sleep that lasts at least 7-8 hours. For example, do not take zolpidem during an overnight plane flight of less than 8 hours.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, flushing, stomach cramps, nervousness, or shakiness) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Though it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit-forming). Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.

When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

You may have trouble sleeping the first few nights after you stop taking this medication. This is called rebound insomnia and it is normal. It will usually go away after 1-2 nights. If this effect continues, contact your doctor.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 7-10 days.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, and dry mouth may occur. To minimize the risk of falls, remember to get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication may make you sleepy during the day. Tell your doctor if you have daytime drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fast/pounding heartbeat, unusual tiredness, mental/mood changes (e.g., new or worsening depression, rare thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, anxiety), memory loss, unsteadiness.

Tell your doctor immediately if this rare but very serious side effect occurs: chest pain.

Rarely, after taking this drug, people have gotten out of bed and driven vehicles while not fully awake ("sleep-driving"). People have also sleepwalked, prepared/eaten food, made phone calls, or had sex while not fully awake. Often, these people do not remember these events. This problem can be dangerous to you or to others. If you find out that you have done any of these activities after taking this medication, tell your doctor immediately. Your risk is increased if you use alcohol or other medications that can make you drowsy while taking zolpidem.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking zolpidem, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood problems (e.g., depression), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances, lung/breathing problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, sleep apnea), a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more likely to experience hallucinations, especially if they have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness and excessive drowsiness.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Infants born to mothers who have taken sedative/hypnotic drugs near the time of delivery may have undesirable effects such as withdrawal symptoms. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

A small amount of this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: sodium oxybate.

If you are currently using this medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting zolpidem.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove zolpidem from your body (such as azole antifungals-including ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors including ritonavir, rifamycins including rifampin).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include slowed breathing or a deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.

Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

Usually, insomnia is temporary and requires sleep medication only for a short time. If you require treatment for more than 2 weeks, laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed to find the cause of your sleep problem.

As you get older, your sleep pattern may naturally change and your sleep may be interrupted several times during the night. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to improve your sleep without medication, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, avoiding daytime naps, and going to bed at the same time each night.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is still near bedtime and you have trouble falling asleep. If it is already the next day, resume your usual dosing schedule that night at bedtime. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.