How should I take zolpidem?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Zolpidem comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take zolpidem only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active
again. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you
have a full 7 to 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Take zolpidem with a full
glass of
water.
Zolpidem is for short-term use only. Tell your doctor if your insomnia symptoms do
not improve, or if they get worse after using this medication for 7 to 10 nights in a row. Do not
take zolpidem for longer than 4 or 5 weeks without your doctor's advice.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking zolpidem after taking it over
several days in a row. Do not stop taking zolpidem suddenly without first
talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
Withdrawal symptoms include behavior changes, stomach pain, muscle cramps, nausea,
vomiting, sweating, anxiety, panic, tremors, and seizure (convulsions). Insomnia symptoms may
also return after you stop taking zolpidem. These symptoms may seem to be even worse than
before you started taking the medication. Call your doctor if you still have worsened insomnia
after the first few nights without taking zolpidem.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It
is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too
much of the drug to be released at one time.
Store zolpidem at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since zolpidem is usually taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Never take this medication if you do not have a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active
again. Do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
An overdose of zolpidem can be fatal when it is taken together with other
medications that can cause drowsiness.
Symptoms of a zolpidem overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing,
feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking zolpidem?
Zolpidem can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. You may
still feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication. Until you know how this medication
will affect you during waking hours, be careful if you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane,
or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking zolpidem. It can increase some of the side
effects of zolpidem, including drowsiness.
Do not take other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for depression or anxiety).
Avoid taking zolpidem during travel, such as to sleep on an airplane. You may be
awakened before the effects of the medication have worn off. Amnesia (forgetfulness) is more
common if you do not get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep after taking zolpidem.
Take zolpidem only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active
again.
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