|
What is the most important information I should know about zolpidem?
|
|
• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Zolpidem will cause drowsiness and may cause
dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these
activities. Zolpidem should be taken just before bedtime. You may
experience some carryover effects the next day. |
|
• |
Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol will
increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are taking
zolpidem, which could be dangerous. |
|
• |
Do not stop taking zolpidem suddenly if you have been taking
it for more than 1 or 2 weeks. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and
make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop
treatment with zolpidem. |
|
• |
Do not crush, chew, or break the controlled-release zolpidem
tablets. Swallow the controlled-release tablets whole. |
|
• |
Zolpidem is in a class of drugs called sedative/ hypnotics or
sleep medications. Zolpidem affects chemicals in your brain that may
become unbalanced and cause insomnia. |
|
• |
Zolpidem induces sleep and causes relaxation. It is used to
treat sleep disorders such as trouble falling asleep, waking up many
times during the night, or waking up too early in the morning. Zolpidem
is for short-term use only--usually 7 to 10 days. Longer-term use must
be monitored closely by a doctor. |
|
• |
Zolpidem may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
|
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
zolpidem?
|
|
• |
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you |
| |
· |
have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory
disease; or |
| |
· |
are depressed or have suicidal thoughts. |
|
• |
You may not be able to take zolpidem, or you may require a
lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
|
• |
Zolpidem is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that
it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take zolpidem without
first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become
pregnant during treatment. |
|
• |
Zolpidem passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing
baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
|
• |
If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from zolpidem. You may require a lower dose of
this medication. |
|
• |
Zolpidem is not approved by the FDA for use by children
younger than 18 years of age. |
|
How should I take zolpidem?
|
|
• |
Take zolpidem exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor
to explain them to you. |
|
• |
Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
• |
Take zolpidem just before you go to bed. It will make you
drowsy, and you could fall and hurt yourself if you take your dose
before you are ready for sleep. |
|
• |
Take zolpidem only if you are able to get a full night's
sleep before you must be active again. |
|
• |
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for
you. |
|
• |
Do not stop taking zolpidem suddenly if you have been taking
it for more than 1 or 2 weeks. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and
make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop
treatment with zolpidem. |
|
• |
Do not crush, chew, or break the controlled-release zolpidem
tablets. Swallow the controlled-release tablets whole. |
|
• |
Store zolpidem at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
|
What happens if I miss a dose?
|
|
• |
Since zolpidem is usually taken only if you need it to help
you sleep, missing a dose will not cause any problems. Take the missed
dose only if you can be sure that you will get 7 or 8 full hours of
sleep after the dose. If you do not sleep for 7 or 8 full hours, you may
experience carryover effects from zolpidem after you wake up. |
|
What happens if I overdose?
|
|
• |
Seek emergency medical attention. |
|
• |
Symptoms of a zolpidem overdose may include sleepiness,
confusion, dizziness, difficult or slow breathing, and unconsciousness. |
|
What should I avoid while taking zolpidem?
|
|
• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Zolpidem will cause drowsiness and may cause
dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these
activities. Zolpidem should be taken just before bedtime. You may
experience some carryover effects the next day. |
|
• |
Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol will increase
drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are taking zolpidem,
which could be dangerous. |
|
• |
Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers, including
over-the-counter preparations. They should not be used while you are
taking zolpidem unless your doctor directs otherwise. |
|
What are the possible side effects of zolpidem?
|
|
• |
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking zolpidem and seek emergency medical attention: |
| |
· |
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; hives); or |
| |
· |
hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or severe confusion. |
|
• |
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take zolpidem and talk to your doctor if you experience |
| |
· |
headache, drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness; |
| |
· |
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; |
| |
· |
vivid or abnormal dreams; or |
| |
· |
amnesia (memory loss) after a dose. |
|
• |
A problem that may occur when sleep medicines are stopped is known
as "rebound insomnia." This means that a person may have more trouble
sleeping the first few nights after the medicine is stopped than before
starting the medicine. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not
get discouraged. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2
nights |
|
• |
Zolpidem is habit forming. Stopping this medication suddenly can
cause withdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously for several
weeks. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of this medication. |
|
• |
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. |
|
What other drugs will affect zolpidem?
|
|
• |
Zolpidem may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, other
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines,
and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are
taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves. |
|
• |
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with zolpidem.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
|
Where can I get more information?
|
|
• |
Your pharmacist has additional information about zolpidem written
for health professionals that you may read. |
|
• |
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
|
• |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2005 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 9/
12/ 05. |
