From the Guidelines
Zolpidem tartrate is a prescription sleep medication used to treat insomnia, with a recommended dose of 5-10 mg taken orally immediately before bedtime, and should be used for short-term treatment, generally 7-10 days, as it can be habit-forming and may cause side effects like daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
Key Points to Consider
- Zolpidem works by enhancing the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep, helping people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer 1.
- To use zolpidem effectively, patients should:
- Take it only when they have 7-8 hours available for sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
- Not drive or operate machinery for at least 8 hours after taking it.
- Discontinue use gradually under medical supervision to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Patients should be aware that zolpidem can cause complex sleep behaviors like sleep-walking or sleep-driving, and if these occur, they should discontinue use and consult their doctor immediately 1.
Important Considerations
- The FDA has warned about the risk of serious injuries caused by sleep behaviors associated with zolpidem, and patients should be counseled on the potential risks 1.
- Zolpidem should be administered at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration to minimize the incidence of adverse events 1.
- The medication can cause adverse effects, including next-morning impairment and sleep driving, and patients should be monitored for these effects 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Zolpidem tartrate is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine Zolpidem tartrate is used in adults for the short-term treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia (trouble falling asleep) Zolpidem tartrate USP is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator of the imidazopyridine class
Zolpidem (Zolpidem tartrate) is a sedative-hypnotic medicine used for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults. It is a GABA A receptor positive modulator of the imidazopyridine class 2 2.
From the Research
Definition and Classification of Zolpidem
- Zolpidem, also known as zolpidem tartrate, is an imidazopyridine agent 3, 4
- It is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia 5, 4
Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action
- Zolpidem exhibits high-affinity binding at a benzodiazepine-receptor subtype located in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex 4
- It decreases sleep latency and increases total sleep time and sleep efficiency without affecting sleep architecture 4
Efficacy and Safety
- Zolpidem has been shown to be effective in increasing sleep time and decreasing sleep latency, with efficacy comparable to benzodiazepines 3, 4
- It is generally well-tolerated, with common adverse events including nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness 3
- Zolpidem has a low potential for abuse and minimal next-day effects on cognition and psychomotor performance 3, 5
Dosage and Administration
- The recommended dosage of zolpidem is 10 mg/day in adults and 5 or 10 mg/day in the elderly or patients with hepatic impairment 3
- Zolpidem is available in various formulations, including oral tablets, sublingual lozenges, and oral sprays 6, 7
Specialized Formulations
- Sublingual zolpidem tartrate lozenge (SZT) is a formulation that produces higher drug plasma levels within the first 15-20 min after dosing than the standard oral tablet 6
- ZolpiMist™ is an oral spray formulation of zolpidem that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2008 for the short-term treatment of insomnia 7