Zolpidem Hemitartrate
Tranquilizer, Sedative/Hypnotic · Imidazopyridine
Indications
Short term treatment of insomnia.
Dosage
Adults: 10 mg before retiring. Elderly: 5 mg before retiring. Children: Not recommended.
Adverse Effects
GI upsets, dizziness, headache, drowsiness. Very rarely, memory loss, tremor, depression, confusion, perceptual disturbances, hallucination, agitation, nightmares, exacerbated insomnia, anterograde amnesia, back pain, RTI, fatigue. Paradoxical psychiatric reactions (discontinue).
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Severe hepatic or acute pulmonary insufficiency, obstructive sleep apnoea, Myasthaenia gravis, respiratory depression, psychotic illness. Precautions: Hepatic impairment. Depression. History of alcohol and drug abuse, psychiatric disorders. Monitor for signs of withdrawal, rebound insomnia and dependence on stopping treatment. Respiratory impairment. Risk of sleepwalking and associated behaviours. Withdraw gradually.
Interactions
Alcohol, other CNS depressants, CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., erythromycin, ketoconazole) or inducers (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine, St John's wort), ciprofloxacin.
Advice to Patient
Take on an empty stomach, immediately before going to bed. Do not chew, crush or break extended-release tablet, swallow whole. Place disintegrating tablet on tongue, let it dissolve, and then swallow with saliva or with water. Do not take prescription medications or OTC medications especially pain medications, sedatives, antihistamines, hypnotics during therapy without consulting prescriber. Contact prescriber if there is headache, excitation, difficulty in breathing, abnormal swelling, chest pain, palpitations, muscle pain or weakness, abdominal cramps, increased sleepiness, depression, confusion, abnormal thoughts, abnormal behaviors during sleep (observed by family), nightmares, lack of sleep, nightmares. Avoid alcohol during therapy. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. On start of therapy or change of…
Pharmacokinetics
Onset of action: Immediate release: 30 minutes. Duration: Immediate release: 6 to 8 hours. Absorption: Immediate release and sublingual: Rapid. Extended release: Biphasic absorption; rapid initial absorption (similar to immediate release product); then provides extended concentrations in the plasma beyond 3 hours post administration. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: Immediate release: 70%. Half-life elimination: Children 2 to 6 years: Immediate release: 1.8 hours. Children >6 years and Adolescents: Immediate release: 2.3 hours. Adults: Immediate release, Extended release: Approx. 2.5 hours (range: 1.4 to 4.5 hours); Cirrhosis: Up to 9.9 hours; Elderly: Prolonged up to 32%. Spray: Approx. 3 hours (range: 1.7 to 8.4). Sublingual tablet: Approx. 3 hours (range: 1.4 to 6.7 hours). Time to peak, plasma: Children 2 to 6 years: Immediate release: 0.9 hours. Children >6 to 12 years:…
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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