Uses
What is zolpidem used for?
Zolpidem is commonly used short-term to help treat insomnia. It can be used to help people fall asleep faster or help them wake up less times during the night.
Zolpidem may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does zolpidem work (mechanism of action)?
Zolpidem works by increasing the activity of a natural chemical in your brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which helps you relax and may make it easier to fall asleep.
How is zolpidem supplied (dosage forms)?
Zolpidem is available as Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and generic zolpidem in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 6.25 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 12.5 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 7.5 mg oral capsules
- 5 mg oral tablets
- 10 mg oral tablets
- 1.75 mg sublingual tablets
- 3.5 mg sublingual tablets
- 5 mg sublingual tablets
- 10 mg sublingual tablets
How should I store zolpidem?
Oral Tablet and Capsule. Zolpidem tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Sublingual Tablet. Zolpidem sublingual tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place and protect from moisture. Do not remove the sublingual tablet from the unit-dose pouch until ready to take.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of zolpidem?
The most common side effects of zolpidem are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
There may be other side effects of zolpidem that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of zolpidem?
While less common, the most serious side effects of zolpidem are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Zolpidem may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking zolpidem and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Abnormal Thoughts or Behaviors. A variety of abnormal thoughts and behaviors have been reported during treatment with zolpidem and other sedative-hypnotics. Talk with your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms.
- Acting more outgoing or aggressive than usual
- Agitation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression that worsens
- Seeing or hearing things that are not real
Next-day Drowsiness. The morning after you take zolpidem you may feel drowsy or dizzy. You are more likely to experience drowsiness the next day if you take zolpidem with less than a full night of sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you have to get up. Other factors that may increase your risk of next-day drowsiness include taking a higher dose than recommended, drinking alcohol, or taking other medicines that can make you drowsy. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities until you know how zolpidem affects you.
Activities While Not Fully Awake. Zolpidem may cause you to do an activity that you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember doing anything. Stop taking zolpidem, and call your healthcare provider right away if you do any of the following activities while not fully awake.
- Sleep-walking
- Talking on the phone
- Driving a car, also called “sleep driving”
- Making and eating food
- Having sex
Worsening of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Zolpidem may worsen depression and cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
- Suicide attempt
- New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior
Breathing Problems. Zolpidem may cause slow or shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition or take other medicines that can slow your breathing. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe sleepiness or trouble breathing, especially when you start zolpidem or when your dose is increased. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernails
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
- Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake
Memory Loss. Zolpidem may cause short-term memory loss. Taking a higher dose increases the risk of this side effect. Talk with your healthcare provider if you experience any loss of memory.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use zolpidem?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take zolpidem.
- Zolpidem
- Ambien
- Edluar
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific zolpidem products they stock.
History of Activities While Not Fully Awake. If you have experienced doing activities while you are not fully awake, such as sleep-walking, sleep-driving, or making phone calls, after taking zolpidem, your healthcare provider may recommend a different medicine for you.
Liver Problems. Zolpidem should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about zolpidem before using it?
Do not take zolpidem unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share zolpidem with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep zolpidem out of the reach of children. Zolpidem is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store zolpidem in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.
Take zolpidem only once per night, right before getting into bed. Do not take zolpidem if you are not able to stay in bed a full night (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Some zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablets may be used if you have at least 4 hours in bed before you need to be awake. Talk with your pharmacist or other healthcare provider for more information.
Do not crush, chew, or divide zolpidem extended-release tablets.
Do not open, crush, or chew zolpidem capsules.
Do not swallow zolpidem sublingual tablets or take with water. Place the tablet under the tongue, where it will quickly dissolve.
Zolpidem should not be taken with food or right after a meal. It may take longer for zolpidem to work if you take it with food.
Do not take zolpidem if you drink alcohol in the evening or before bed. This may increase your risk of feeling drowsy or dizzy the next day.
Zolpidem is only meant for short-term use. If zolpidem is not working or your sleep problems are getting worse after 7 to 10 days, talk with your healthcare provider.
Zolpidem can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities the next day that require alertness or coordination until you feel fully awake.
People who are 65 years and older may be more sensitive to side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness, which can increase the risk of falls while taking zolpidem. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
Zolpidem can cause rebound insomnia the first day or two after you stop taking it. You may feel anxious or have trouble falling asleep. Talk with your healthcare provider if this lasts longer than a couple days.
Withdrawal symptoms are possible if you stop taking zolpidem suddenly. These symptoms may include sweating, shakiness, unpleasant feeling or stomach and muscle cramps.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using zolpidem?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if zolpidem is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Substance Use Disorder. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of drug or alcohol use disorder. Zolpidem is a controlled substance and may be misused.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Liver or kidney problems
- History of mental health conditions, including depression or thoughts of suicide
- Lung or breathing problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Sleep apnea
Other Medicines and Supplements. Zolpidem may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking zolpidem, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Taking zolpidem in the third trimester of pregnancy may cause the baby to have symptoms of breathing problems or unusual sleepiness when born. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take zolpidem while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Zolpidem passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take zolpidem while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does zolpidem interact with foods or drinks?
Avoid taking zolpidem with or immediately after a meal.
The risk of drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Do not take zolpidem if you drink alcohol in the evening or before bed.
Does zolpidem interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking zolpidem.
- Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- Ciprofloxacin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
- Ketoconazole or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which are medicines used for fungal infections
- A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline or imipramine, even if it is not used for depression
- Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as sleep medicines and medicines for anxiety
- An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of zolpidem. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with zolpidem. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much zolpidem?
If you or someone else has used too much zolpidem, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of zolpidem?
Zolpidem is only meant to be used as needed right before you go to bed. Do not take extra or double doses.
Are you currently using Zolpidem?
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