Adults with sleep disorders (insomnia) are treated with zolpidem. It helps you fall asleep faster, allowing you to get a better night’s sleep if you have trouble falling asleep. A class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics includes zolpidem. It calms you down by acting on your brain. Most of the time, this medication is only used for short periods, like one to two weeks.
How to Use:
Before you begin taking zolpidem and each time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide and, if it is available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions. As directed by your doctor, take this medication by mouth, usually once at night, on an empty stomach. Take zolpidem right before going to bed because it works quickly. It will not work as quickly if you take it with or after a meal. Do not take a dose of this medication unless you have time for at least seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. You might have memory loss if you have to wake up before that. Your dosage recommendation will be based on your age, response to this medication, and any other drugs that you have taken in the past. Do not use it for longer than prescribed, take it more frequently, or at a higher dose. Do not exceed 10 milligrams per day. To reduce the likelihood of adverse effects, older adults typically receive lower doses. When taken regularly for an extended period or in high doses, this medication may cause withdrawal symptoms. If you suddenly stop taking this medication, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like nausea, flushing, vomiting, nervousness, stomach cramps, and shakiness in these situations. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose to prevent withdrawal reactions. For additional information, consult your physician or pharmacist, and immediately report any withdrawal symptoms. This medication has advantages, but it may occasionally lead to abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). If you have previously abused drugs or alcohol, this risk may be increased. To reduce the likelihood of developing an addiction, take this medication as directed. There are likely chances that this medication won’t work as well over time. If this medication stops working well, talk to your doctor. If your condition persists or gets worse after seven to ten days, tell your doctor. After you stop taking this medication, you might have trouble sleeping the first few nights. This is normal and is known as rebound insomnia. It usually goes away after one or two nights. If this effect persists, consult your physician.
Effects:
There may be dizziness. Inform your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if this effect persists or gets worse. You may experience daytime sleepiness from this medication. If you experience daytime drowsiness, tell your doctor. There may be a need to alter your dosage. Keep in mind that this medication has been prescribed to you by your doctor because he or she believes that the benefits to you outweigh the risks of side effects. A lot of people who take this medication don’t experience any serious side effects. If any of the following unfavorable but serious side effects occur, immediately inform your doctor: mental/behavioral changes (such as new or worsening depression, unusual thoughts, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, and anxiety) and memory loss people have rarely gotten out of bed and driven cars while not fully awake (sleep-driving) after taking this drug. In addition, people have sleepwalked, cooked, or eaten food, called, or had sex while not fully awake. These individuals frequently do not recall these occurrences. This issue may pose a threat to you or others. Inform your doctor right away if you discover that you have engaged in any of these behaviors after taking this medication. While taking zolpidem, you run the risk of becoming drowsy if you drink alcohol or take any medications that can do so. occurrence of allergic reactions is quite rare in the case of this medication. However, if you notice any of the following signs of a serious allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: rash, swelling, and itching, particularly of the face, tongue, and throat, severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing. The list of possible side effects is not comprehensive. If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. If you live in the United States, ask your doctor about any side effects. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects. If you live in Canada, ask your doctor about any side effects. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report side effects.
Precautions:
if you are allergic to Zolpidem or if you have had adverse reactions due to the intake of any other medications, you need to tell your doctor so. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive ingredients, which may result in issues such as allergic reactions. For further information, consult your pharmacist. You need to inform your doctor or pharmacist about the effect the drug has on you and if you have or had the following medical conditions.
liver disease,
a personal or family history of regular use or abuse of drugs,
sleepwalking,
kidney disease,
mental or mood disorders (such as depression, and suicidal ideation),
lung or breathing disorders (such as COPD, and sleep apnea),
alcohol, or other substances, and
myasthenia gravis.
Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any activity requiring alertness while taking this medication because it will cause you to become drowsy. Alcohol should be avoided. This medication’s side effects, particularly dizziness, confusion, unsteadiness, and excessive drowsiness, may be more noticeable in older people. Inform your dentist or doctor about all of your medications, herbal products, and nonprescription medications before surgery. This medication should only be taken when necessary during pregnancy. It is possible for babies born to mothers who took sedatives or hypnotics shortly before giving birth to experience undesirable effects like difficulty breathing or withdrawal symptoms. Discuss the benefits and risks with your physician. This medication gets into breast milk in small amounts. Before giving birth, talk to your doctor.
Interactions with drugs:
Interactions with other drugs can alter the way your medications work or make you more likely to get serious side effects. All possible drug interactions are not covered in this document. Ensure your doctor is aware of any other medications that you might be taking even if they are non-prescriptions meds or herbs. Without consulting your physician, do not begin, stop, or alter the dosage of any medication. This medication may interact with the following products:
Oxysodium sodium Zolpidem’s elimination from the body can be affected by other medications, which may have an impact on its effectiveness. Rifampin and azole antifungals like ketoconazole are two examples. When combined with any other medication, the risk of excessive drowsiness and slow breathing also increases. Unpleasant side effects also might occur. So, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking alcohol, muscle relaxants, narcotic painkillers (like codeine), or other sleep or anxiety medications like alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam. All of your medications, including those for allergies and colds, should have labels because some of the ingredients may make you sleepy. Find out how to use those products safely from your pharmacist.
Overdose:
Contact an emergency room or poison control center right away if you suspect an overdose. The 1-800-222-1222 National Poison Hotline is available to US residents. A provincial poison control center can be contacted by residents of Canada. Overdose symptoms are characterized by extremely slowed breathing or going into a deep sleep from which it is difficult to awaken the person.
Notes:
Avoid giving this medication to anyone else. It violates the law. Your sleep pattern may naturally change as you get older, and you may wake up multiple times during the night. Avoiding daytime naps, avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, and going to bed at the same time each night are examples of non-medicinal ways to improve your sleep.
Dose Missed:
in case you have missed a dosage, skip the missed one and take the next dosage when it’s time for your sleep. It is also important to keep in mind that a peaceful sleep of 7-8 hrs is necessary.
Storage:
Keep away from light and moisture at room temperature. Avoid storing in the restroom. Make sure you keep the medication out of reach of children, debilitated patients, and pets. Unless directed otherwise, do not pour medications down a drain or flush them down the toilet. When this product has expired or is no longer required, properly dispose of it. Consult your pharmacist or the waste management company in your area.
Important:
How to Make Use of This Data: This is merely a summary and does not contain all relevant product information. This information does not guarantee that this product is appropriate for you, safe, or effective. This information is not intended to be personalized medical advice and should not be used in place of professional medical advice. Always seek complete information about this product and your specific health requirements from your healthcare provider.