Sign inBefore taking zolpidem
Before taking zolpidem make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you have sleep apnoea (a problem where you stop breathing for short periods at night) or any other breathing problems.
- If you are feeling depressed, or have any other mental health problem.
- If you have severe muscle weakness such as in myasthenia gravis.
- If you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
- If you have kidney or liver problems.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to take zolpidem
- Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Take these tablets exactly as your doctor has told you to.
- Take zolpidem just before bedtime with a drink of water.
- Zolpidem is only recommended for use over a short period of time. Do not take zolpidem for longer than your doctor tells you to.
Getting the most from your treatment
- These tablets make you sleepy. If you still feel sleepy the next day, do not drive or use tools or machines.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are taking zolpidem.
- If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
- If you stop taking zolpidem suddenly, your sleep problems may return. To prevent this your doctor may ask you to reduce your dose of zolpidem over a few days.
Can zolpidem cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids |
| Hallucinations, feeling irritable, nightmares, poor memory | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor |
Some people taking zolpidem have done things while they are asleep that they may not remember when they wake up, such as sleep walking, sleep-driving and having sex. If this happens, discuss it with your doctor.
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store zolpidem
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Zolpidem 5 & 10mg Tablets, Winthrop Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated April 2009.
- British National Formulary; 62nd Edition (Sep 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)