Zolpidem 10 MG

Zolpidem is a prescription drug that comes as an oral tablet and an oral spray.

The oral tablet comes in three forms: immediate-release, extended-release, and sublingual. The immediate-release form releases the drug into your body right away. The extended-release form releases the drug into your body slowly. The sublingual tablet dissolves under your tongue.

These forms are available as the following brand-name drugs:

• Ambien (immediate-release tablet)
• Ambien CR (extended-release tablet)
• Edluar (sublingual tablet)

All forms of zolpidem oral tablets are also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Zolpidem oral tablets are used to treat insomnia. Insomnia causes trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

The immediate-release tablets and Edluar sublingual tablets are used if you have trouble falling asleep. The extended-release tablets are used if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

The low-dose (1.75-mg and 3.5-mg) sublingual tablets are used when you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep.

How it works

Zolpidem belongs to a class of drugs called hypnotics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Zolpidem increases the activity of GABA. GABA is a chemical in your body that causes sleepiness. Increasing its activity helps you fall asleep.

Zolpidem can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking zolpidem. This list does not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of zolpidem, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of zolpidem can include:

• headache
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• chest pain
• palpitations (fast, strong, or irregular heart rate, or feeling like your heart is skipping a beat)
• grogginess
• lightheadedness
• muscle pain

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
  • swelling of your tongue or face
  • trouble breathing
• New or worse symptoms of depression. Symptoms can include:
  • thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself
  • loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy
  • feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • lack of energy
  • trouble thinking or concentrating
  • weight loss or weight gain
• Abnormal thoughts or behaviors. Symptoms can include:
  • agitation
  • being more outgoing than normal
  • thinking things aren’t real or that you’re watching yourself from outside of your body
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
• Doing activities while you’re asleep and having no memory of the event. These can include:
  • driving
  • preparing and eating food
  • talking on the phone
  • having sex
• Trouble breathing. Symptoms can include:
  • slowed breathing
  • shallow breathing
  • tiredness
  • decreased oxygen in your blood
• Amnesia (memory loss)
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that isn’t there)

Zolpidem oral tablet can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Below is a list of medications that can interact with zolpidem. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with zolpidem.

Before taking zolpidem, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Increased side effects from both zolpidem and other drugs

Taking zolpidem with certain medications raises your risk for side effects. This is because zolpidem and these other medications can cause the same side effects. As a result, these side effects can be increased. Examples of these drugs include:

• Drugs that decrease your alertness such as imipramine and chlorpromazine. If you take any of these medications with zolpidem, you may have more sedation and drowsiness.

Increased side effects from zolpidem

Taking zolpidem with certain medications raises your risk for side effects from zolpidem. This is because the amount of zolpidem in your body may be increased. Examples of these drugs include:

• Antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin
• Drugs used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole
• Ritonavir and atazanavir

Interactions that can make your drugs less effective

When zolpidem is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of zolpidem in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:

• Antibiotics such as rifampin, rifabutin, and rifapentine
• Anticonvulsant drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin
• St. John’s wort

The zolpidem dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• the type of insomnia you’re using zolpidem to treat
• your age or sex
• the form of zolpidem you take
• other medical conditions you may have, such as liver damage

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.