Zolpidem

AMBIEN - zolpidem - belongs to a class of medicines that effects the central nervous system, called sedative hypnotics. Zolpidem is closely related to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure), and have anti-anxiety properties. Zolpidem has selectivity in that it has little of the muscle relaxant or anti-seizure effect and more of the sedative effect. Therefore, it is used as a medication for sleep.

Uses

Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep).

How to use Zolpidem

Use Zolpidem as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Use Zolpidem only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours).
• If you miss a dose of Zolpidem , skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once and do not take more than your total daily dose in any 24-hour period.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zolpidem.

Important safety information

• When you first start taking Zolpidem , it may have a "carryover" effect on you the next day. Use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness (eg, driving a car).
• Zolpidem is usually used only for a short period of time. If your symptoms do not get better within 7 to 10 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.

Precaution

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. For women: Zolpidem is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Alcohol has an additive effect with zolpidem and the two should not be combined. Zolpidem should be used cautiously in patients with respiratory diseases because of its depressing effect on breathing. Zolpidem has few drug interactions with other medicines; however, caution should be used when combining it with other sedative drugs because of the additive effects. Zolpidem used at higher dosages can cause withdrawal symptoms (muscle cramps, sweats, shaking, and seizures) when the drug is abruptly discontinued. Zolpidem can cause abnormal behavior with confusion, paradoxical insomnia or "complex sleep-related behaviors which may include sleep-driving (driving with no memory of having done so). If these side effects occur, zolpidem should be discontinued.

STORAGE

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.