Zolpidem
August 30th 2006 22:40
Zolpidem :
Zolpidem is prescribed to treat insomnia, including problems with falling asleep, waking during the night, and early morning wakefulness. It is not clear how zolpidem works, but it may relieve insomnia by acting as a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Treatment :
Zolpidem should be taken immediately before bedtime. Since
it works quickly, you should be ready to go to bed right after
you take it. Zolpidem should be taken on an empty stomach
so that it works quickly. However, it may be taken with food
or a full glass of water to lessen stomach upset (unless your doctor tells you to do otherwise).
If you are taking zolpidem regularly and miss a dose, just skip it and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Side Effects :
Minor: Diarrhea, drowsiness during the day, double or blurred vision, dryness of the mouth, headache, nausea, stomach pain, unusual dreams or nightmares, or vomiting. These side effects should diminish or disappear as your body adjusts to zolpidem.
Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy.
Major: It is important to tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about confusion, dizzinesses or light-headedness, feeling depressed, hallucinations, irritability, trouble sleeping, or unusual excitedness or nervousness.
If zolpidem makes you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
To help prevent dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pressing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are pumping your legs in a pedaling motion.
Interactions
Zolpidem may interact with a number of other medications:
Extreme drowsiness may occur when this medicine is taken with central nervous system depressants (alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and medications to induce sleep) or with antidepressants.
Zolpidem taken concurrently with chlorpromazine may increase the side effects of chlorpromazine.
To avoid drug interactions, it is very important that you do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for weight control or for asthma, sinus problems, cough, cold, or allergy problems unless you first check with a doctor or pharmacist.
Before taking zolpidem, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.
Warnings :
Be sure to tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you may have had to zolpidem or to any other medications.
It is important that you take this medication only in the amount prescribed by your doctor. Zolpidem has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. Do not increase the dose without consulting your doctor. It is important not to stop taking zolpidem suddenly if you have been taking large amounts or if you have used it for several weeks. Your doctor may want you to reduce the dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal reactions, such as stomach cramps, nervousness or panicky feelings, sweating, uncontrolled crying, vomiting, nausea, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
This drug is safe when used properly. However, serious side effects may develop if zolpidem is taken with alcohol or other sedative drugs.
If zolpidem makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not participate in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous equipment.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although no serious effects from zolpidem have been seen in animal studies, the effects during human pregnancy are not known. Also tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Zolpidem does pass into breast milk, and its effects on infants are not known. You should discuss the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.
Zolpidem is prescribed to treat insomnia, including problems with falling asleep, waking during the night, and early morning wakefulness. It is not clear how zolpidem works, but it may relieve insomnia by acting as a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Treatment :
Zolpidem should be taken immediately before bedtime. Since
it works quickly, you should be ready to go to bed right after
you take it. Zolpidem should be taken on an empty stomach
so that it works quickly. However, it may be taken with food
or a full glass of water to lessen stomach upset (unless your doctor tells you to do otherwise).
If you are taking zolpidem regularly and miss a dose, just skip it and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Side Effects :
Minor: Diarrhea, drowsiness during the day, double or blurred vision, dryness of the mouth, headache, nausea, stomach pain, unusual dreams or nightmares, or vomiting. These side effects should diminish or disappear as your body adjusts to zolpidem.
Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy.
Major: It is important to tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about confusion, dizzinesses or light-headedness, feeling depressed, hallucinations, irritability, trouble sleeping, or unusual excitedness or nervousness.
If zolpidem makes you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
To help prevent dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pressing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are pumping your legs in a pedaling motion.
Interactions
Zolpidem may interact with a number of other medications:
Extreme drowsiness may occur when this medicine is taken with central nervous system depressants (alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and medications to induce sleep) or with antidepressants.
Zolpidem taken concurrently with chlorpromazine may increase the side effects of chlorpromazine.
To avoid drug interactions, it is very important that you do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for weight control or for asthma, sinus problems, cough, cold, or allergy problems unless you first check with a doctor or pharmacist.
Before taking zolpidem, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.
Warnings :
Be sure to tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you may have had to zolpidem or to any other medications.
It is important that you take this medication only in the amount prescribed by your doctor. Zolpidem has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. Do not increase the dose without consulting your doctor. It is important not to stop taking zolpidem suddenly if you have been taking large amounts or if you have used it for several weeks. Your doctor may want you to reduce the dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal reactions, such as stomach cramps, nervousness or panicky feelings, sweating, uncontrolled crying, vomiting, nausea, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
This drug is safe when used properly. However, serious side effects may develop if zolpidem is taken with alcohol or other sedative drugs.
If zolpidem makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not participate in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous equipment.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although no serious effects from zolpidem have been seen in animal studies, the effects during human pregnancy are not known. Also tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Zolpidem does pass into breast milk, and its effects on infants are not known. You should discuss the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.
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