Zolpidem sleeping pills

Zolpidem sleeping pills

Zolpidem sleeping pills is used in adults to treat insomnia. The immediate-release forms are Ambien, Edluar, and Zolpimist, which are used to help you fall asleep. Intermezzo is used to help you fall back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night and then have trouble sleeping. The extended-release form of zolpidem is Ambien CR which has a first layer that dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep and a second layer that dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep.

Your doctor will determine which form of zolpidem is best for you.

Zolpidem belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.

Zolpidem sleeping pills side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to zolpidem: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people using zolpidem have engaged in activities such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later have no memory of the activity. If this happens, stop using zolpidem and call your doctor right away.

Serious injury or death could occur if you walk or drive while you are not fully awake.

Zolpidem sleeping pills may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• breathing problems;
• anxiety, depression, agitation, aggression;
• confusion, hallucinations;
• memory problems, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• thoughts of hurting yourself; or
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common zolpidem side effects may include:

• daytime drowsiness, dizziness, feeling light-headed or “drugged”;
• headache;
• diarrhea; or
• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Never use zolpidem in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

Some people using Zolpidem sleeping pills have engaged in activities such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later have no memory of the activity. Tell your doctor if this happens to you.

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.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have. The recommended doses of zolpidem are not the same in men and women, and this drug is not approved for use in children. Misuse of this medication can result in dangerous side effects.

Zolpidem sleeping pills may impair your thinking or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking this medicine, especially if you take the extended-release tablet or are a woman. Wait at least 4 hours or until you are fully awake before you do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Serious injury or death could occur if you walk or drive while you are not fully awake.

Never take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed.

Do not take Zolpidem sleeping pills if you have consumed alcohol during the day or just before bed.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Zolpidem sleeping pills if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever taken sleep medicine and engaged in an activity you later don’t remember.

Zolpidem may contain lactose. Tell your doctor if you have galactose intolerance or severe problems with lactose (milk sugar).

To make sure zolpidem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• lung disease or a breathing disorder;
• depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or mental illness;
• drug or alcohol addiction;
• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
• myasthenia gravis; or
• liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Using this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of zolpidem on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

If breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice increased sleepiness, breathing problems, or limpness in the nursing baby.

Do not breastfeed within 23 hours after using zolpidem. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby.

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

How should I use Zolpidem sleeping pills?

Take zolpidem exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use zolpidem in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Zolpidem may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Zolpidem sleeping pills should be taken right before going to sleep on an empty stomach. Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing, swallowing, or drinking water.

Do not use orally disintegrating tablets for insomnia if you wake up in the middle of the night unless you have 4 hours of sleep time left before being active.

Zolpidem will make you fall asleep. Never use this medicine if you do not have a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again.

Swallow the tablet or the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, or break.

Zolpidem sleeping pills is only for short-term use. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 days of treatment, or if they worsen.

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using zolpidem suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Keep zolpidem in the original container until you are ready to use it.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Zolpidem sleeping pills Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE (IR) TABLETS, ORAL SPRAY, and SUBLINGUAL TABLETS (5 and 10 mg formulations):
Initial dose:
-Women: 5 mg orally once a day immediately prior to bedtime
-Men: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day immediately prior to bedtime
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day immediately prior to bedtime
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day