| GENERIC NAME : |
zolpidem
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| BRAND NAMES : |
Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar
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| STREET NAMES : |
none known
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| BRIEF DESCRIPTION : |
Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class of drugs. It is available in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. The recommended dose for adults is 5 to 10 mg immediately before bedtime. It is believed that zolpidem acts at the GABAA receptor. Zolpidem acts like a benzodiazepine in many ways but it is not structurally similar to that class of drugs. It belongs to drugs classified as sedative/hypnotics. The half-life of zolpidem is approximately 2.2 to three hours in healthy individuals.
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| INDICATIONS FOR USE : |
Zolpidem is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is intended to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
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| ABUSE AND ADDICTIVE POTENTIAL : |
Studies of the abuse potential in former drug users found that the effects of a single dose of zolpidem 40 mg were similar but not identical to diazepam 20 mg. While not considered a highly addictive drug, zolpidem can lead to abuse or dependence, particularly in individuals with a history of alcohol or substance dependence. Signs of abuse or dependence include tolerance (requiring more than the recommended dosage for the desired effect), craving, use of the medication to reverse any noticeable withdrawal symptoms, or use of zolpidem for anxiety during waking hours. Sedative/hypnotic medications can produce withdrawal signs and symptoms following abrupt discontinuation. These symptoms are rare when taking zolpidem at the recommended dosage. Although rare, withdrawal symptoms can include, fatigue, nausea, blushing, lightheadedness, uncontrolled crying, emesis, stomach cramps, panic attack, nervousness, and abdominal discomfort. These reported adverse events occur at an incidence of 1% or less.
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| OVERDOSAGE : |
The most common symptom prolonged deep sleep to light coma. There is potential for seizure following sudden withdrawal of any sedative/hypnotic drug. There are reports of individuals who took overdoses up to 400 mg (40 times the maximum recommended does) experiencing full recovery.
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| CAUTIONS : |
Respiratory depression is the chief hazard from all opioid agonist medications. Caution should be exercised when prescribing this medication to individuals with impaired lung function or low blood pressure. There may be serious problems also with use of this medication an individual with a closed head injury. It can elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure and mask symptoms of closed head injury that could require immediate medical measures.
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| SIDE EFFECTS : |
Zolpidem may cause severe allergic reaction in rare cases. These would require immediate medical attention and include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Other side effects may include: worsening sleep problems depressed mood decreased inhibitions agitation or aggression hallucinations, confusion, or personality changes daytime drowsiness (feeling "drugged") memory problems abnormal dreams muscle aches headache blurred vision
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| FOR MORE INFORMATION : |
*This is a condensed description of zolpidem. For more details check with your physician, pharmacist, or resources such as The Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) or http://www.drugs.com.
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