💊 Zolpidem (Zolpidem)

💊 Imidazopyridine sedative-hypnotic; GABA-A receptor positive modulator

Zolpidem is prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. The dose is set by your doctor or pharmacist and it should be used for as short a time as possible. It can cause complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking or sleep-driving, which may lead to serious injury.

🏷️ Brands: Zolpidem💉 Oral📋 Prescription only

In Arabic: زولبيديم (زولبيديم تارترات)

✅ What it is used for

Short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation
Shown in controlled clinical studies to decrease sleep latency for up to 35 days

🧪 Active ingredient

Zolpidem tartrate: a GABA-A receptor positive modulator presumed to act by binding the benzodiazepine site of α1 subunit-containing GABA-A receptors, increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening and inhibiting neuronal excitation, which helps induce sleep.

🌿 Benefits

Reduces the time needed to fall asleep
Effective for short-term treatment of insomnia

📝 How to use

The dose is set by your doctor or pharmacist; do not change it on your own
Take once per night only, immediately before bedtime, with at least 7-8 hours remaining before planned awakening
Do not take a second dose during the same night
Effect may be slowed if taken with or immediately after a meal
Use for as short a time as possible; long-term use is not recommended

💊 Dosage forms

5 mg tablets (pink, film-coated, round, debossed "IT 117")
10 mg tablets (white, film-coated, round, debossed "IT 118")
Tablets are not scored

⚠️ Common side effects

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Drugged feelings (with longer-term use)

🚨 Serious — seek medical help

Complex sleep behaviors (sleep-walking, sleep-driving, preparing/eating food, making phone calls or having sex while not fully awake), which may cause serious injury or death
Severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema
Abnormal thinking and behavior changes such as decreased inhibition, bizarre behavior, agitation and depersonalization
Worsening depression or suicidal thinking
Respiratory depression
Withdrawal symptoms with rapid dose reduction or discontinuation

⛔ Do not use if

Patients who have experienced complex sleep behaviors after taking zolpidem
Known hypersensitivity to zolpidem (reactions include anaphylaxis and angioedema)

❗ Warnings & precautions

Stop immediately and tell your doctor if any complex sleep behavior occurs
May impair alertness and motor coordination the next morning; avoid driving and activities requiring mental alertness
Risk increases with higher dose and with alcohol or other CNS depressants
Re-evaluate if insomnia persists after 7 to 10 days of use
Avoid in severe hepatic impairment as it may contribute to encephalopathy
Use caution in patients with compromised respiratory function
Risk of abuse and dependence increases with duration of treatment
Total dose must not exceed 10 mg daily

🔄 Drug interactions

Alcohol and other CNS depressants: additive drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and impaired driving ability
Opioids: may increase the risk of respiratory depression
Imipramine: decreased alertness
Chlorpromazine: impaired alertness and psychomotor performance
Sertraline: increases exposure to zolpidem
Rifampin or St. John's wort (CYP3A4 inducers): may decrease effect
Ketoconazole: may increase effect

🤰 Pregnancy

Neonates born to mothers using zolpidem late in the third trimester have been reported to experience respiratory depression and sedation. Published data have not reported a clear association with major birth defects. Zolpidem crosses the placenta and exposed neonates should be monitored. Consult your doctor before use.

🍼 Breastfeeding

A lactating woman may pump and discard breast milk during treatment and for 23 hours after taking zolpidem. Consult your doctor.

🧒 Children

Not recommended for children; safety and effectiveness below age 18 have not been established. In an 8-week study in children aged 6-17 with ADHD-associated insomnia, zolpidem did not decrease sleep latency versus placebo, and hallucinations were reported in 7% of treated children.

👴 Older adults

Elderly or debilitated patients may be especially sensitive; the recommended dose is 5 mg once daily at bedtime to minimize impaired motor and/or cognitive performance. Falls and confusion have been reported.

🌡️ Storage

Store at controlled room temperature 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F).

⏰ Missed dose

Zolpidem is taken only when needed immediately before bedtime and is not readministered during the same night; do not take it unless 7-8 hours remain before you need to wake.

🆘 Overdose

Overdose may cause impairment of consciousness ranging from somnolence to coma, cardiovascular and/or respiratory compromise, and fatal outcomes have been reported. Seek emergency medical care or contact a poison control center immediately.

💰 Price & brands in your area

Local prices are currently available for Palestine; more countries are coming. Ask your pharmacist for local price and alternatives.

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👨‍⚕️ For healthcare professionals

Mechanism of action

GABA-A receptor positive modulator binding the benzodiazepine site of α1-containing receptors (greater affinity for α1 than α2/α3; no appreciable affinity for α5), increasing frequency of chloride channel opening. Rapidly absorbed, Tmax about 1.6 h, half-life about 2.5 h, about 92.5% protein bound, converted to inactive metabolites eliminated mainly renally.

Labeled dosing

Adults: use the lowest effective dose. Recommended initial dose is 5 mg for women and 5 or 10 mg for men, once per night immediately before bedtime with at least 7-8 hours before planned awakening; may increase to 10 mg if 5 mg is not effective; do not exceed 10 mg daily. Elderly/debilitated and mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment: 5 mg. Avoid in severe hepatic impairment. Dose adjustment may be needed with other CNS depressants. The dose is set by the prescribing doctor/pharmacist.

Boxed warning: complex sleep behaviors; discontinue immediately if they occur
Long-term use not recommended; re-evaluate if insomnia persists after 7-10 days
Risk of next-day driving impairment is higher with the 10 mg dose
Overdose management: general symptomatic and supportive measures, prompt gastric lavage where appropriate, IV fluids; flumazenil may reduce sedative effect but may contribute to convulsions; not dialyzable
Monitor neonates exposed late in pregnancy for excess sedation, hypotonia and respiratory depression

🎓 Key points for students

Class: imidazopyridine GABA-A receptor positive modulator
Indication: short-term treatment of insomnia with sleep-initiation difficulty
Maximum 10 mg daily; lower initial dose for women due to lower clearance
Boxed warning: complex sleep behaviors
Contraindications: prior complex sleep behavior and hypersensitivity
Interactions: alcohol, CNS depressants, opioids; CYP3A4 inducers reduce and ketoconazole increases effect
Food slows onset of effect

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❓ FAQ

What is zolpidem used for?

It is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep.

When should I take zolpidem?

Once per night only, immediately before bedtime with at least 7-8 hours remaining before you wake, at the dose set by your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I drive the next morning?

Zolpidem may impair alertness and coordination the next morning, so avoid driving and activities requiring mental alertness.

What are complex sleep behaviors?

They are activities such as walking, driving, eating or making calls while not fully awake, which can cause serious injury. If this happens, stop the medicine and tell your doctor.

Can I take it with alcohol?

This is not advised; alcohol adds to the CNS-depressant effects and worsens psychomotor performance.

Can I use it long-term?

Long-term use is not recommended; treatment should be as short as possible because the risk of abuse and dependence increases with duration.

⚕️ For education only — not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without advice. Source: official FDA drug label via openFDA (2024-09), simplified. Updated: 2026-11-11.