ZOLPIDEM

Brand & Generic Names

Ambien

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Sedative (hypnotic)

Uses

Short-term (less than 2 weeks) treatment for insomnia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
Take immediately before bedtime. For best results, do not take with a meal or immediately after eating a meal.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Take drug only when you are able to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep before your daily activity begins. Do not exceed prescribed dosage.

What drug does:
Acts as a central nervous system depressant, decreasing sleep problems such as trouble falling asleep, waking up too often during the night and waking up too early in the morning.

Time lapse before drug works:
Within 1 to 2 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other prescription or non-prescription drug without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness, weakness, stupor, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see previous section.

Common:

Daytime drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, clumsiness, headache, diarrhea, nausea.

Infrequent:

Dry mouth, muscle aches or pain, tiredness, indigestion, joint pain, memory problems.

Rare:

Behavioral changes, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, worsening of depression, bloody or cloudy urine, painful or difficult urination, increased urge to urinate, skin rash or hives, itching.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to zolpidem.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have respiratory problems.
• If you have kidney or liver disease.
• If you suffer from depression.
• If you are an active or recovering alcoholic.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on risk to unborn child. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for patients under age 18.

Prolonged use:
Not recommended for long-term usage. Don't take for longer than 1 to 2 weeks unless under doctor's supervision.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:

• Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
• You may have sleeping problems for 1 or 2 nights after stopping drug.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• Don't take drug if you are traveling on an overnight airplane trip of less than 7 or 8 hours. A temporary memory loss may occur (traveler's amnesia).

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Central nervous	Increased sedative effect. Avoid.
Chlorpromazine	Increased sedative effect. Avoid.
Imipramine	Increased sedative effect. Avoid.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedation. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	Decreased sedative effect if taken with
	a meal or right after a meal.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.