What is Zolpidem (Ambien) used for?

Zolpidem (Ambien) Use in Insomnia Management

Zolpidem is primarily indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance, with the strongest evidence supporting its use for sleep onset insomnia. 1, 2

Formulations and Specific Indications

• Immediate-release tablets (Ambien):

  • Primarily for sleep onset difficulties
  • Reduces sleep latency by 11-19 minutes compared to placebo 1
  • Available in 5mg and 10mg doses

• Extended-release formulation (Ambien CR):

  • For both sleep onset and maintenance insomnia
  • Improves sleep maintenance in the first 6 hours of sleep 1
  • 85% of patients report being "much or very much improved" versus 48% with placebo 1

• Sublingual formulations (Edluar, Intermezzo):

  • For middle-of-the-night awakenings with difficulty returning to sleep
  • Reduces sleep onset latency after awakening by approximately 18 minutes 1, 3

Efficacy Data

Zolpidem demonstrates efficacy in multiple sleep parameters:

• Sleep latency: Reduces time to fall asleep by 11-19 minutes 1
• Total sleep time: Increases by approximately 28-30 minutes 1
• Sleep quality: Shows moderate to large improvements 1
• Sleep efficiency: Demonstrates clinically significant improvement 1
• Wake after sleep onset (WASO): Shows clinically significant reduction in objective measures 1

Dosing Recommendations

• Adult women: 5mg immediate-release or 6.25mg extended-release 3, 2
• Adult men: 10mg immediate-release or 12.5mg extended-release 3, 2
• Elderly patients (>65 years): 5mg immediate-release or 6.25mg extended-release 1, 3, 2
• Patients with hepatic impairment: 5mg immediate-release 2, 4

Administration Guidelines

• Take immediately before bedtime 3, 2
• Only take when able to get 7-8 full hours of sleep 3, 2
• Take on an empty stomach for faster sleep onset (food can decrease absorption by 15% and delay peak concentration by 60%) 2
• Do not take with or immediately after alcohol or other CNS depressants 3, 2

Safety Considerations and Adverse Effects

Common Adverse Effects

• Dizziness, headache, drowsiness, nausea 1, 3, 2
• Taste perversion (altered or unpleasant taste) 1

Serious Adverse Effects

1. Complex sleep behaviors: Sleep-driving, sleep-eating, sleep-walking, having phone conversations or sex while not fully awake 3, 2

   • Stop medication immediately if these occur

2. Next-day impairment:

   • Cognitive and psychomotor impairment affecting driving and activities requiring alertness 3, 2
   • Higher risk in women due to 45% slower drug clearance 3
   • Higher risk when taken with less than 7-8 hours of sleep opportunity 3

3. Increased risk in elderly:

   • 5-fold increased risk of falls, confusion, and memory loss 3
   • 64% higher drug exposure compared to younger adults 2

4. Other risks:

   • Associated with fractures (adjusted odds ratio 1.72) 1
   • Risk for major head injury requiring hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio 1.67) 1

Special Populations

Elderly Patients

• Higher sensitivity to effects due to slower elimination (32% longer half-life) 2
• 50% higher maximum concentration and 64% higher AUC compared to younger adults 2
• Use lowest effective dose (5mg) to minimize adverse effects 3, 2

Women

• Clear zolpidem 45% slower than men, resulting in 45% higher blood levels 3
• Require lower doses to minimize next-day impairment 3, 2

Contraindications

• Previous complex sleep behaviors after taking zolpidem 2
• Concurrent use with alcohol 3, 2
• Inability to get 7-8 hours of sleep 3, 2

Clinical Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Prescribing standard doses to women and elderly: Use lower doses (5mg immediate-release, 6.25mg extended-release) due to slower drug clearance 3, 2

2. Not warning about complex sleep behaviors: These can lead to serious injury or death and require immediate discontinuation of the medication 3, 2

3. Taking with food: Reduces absorption by 15% and delays onset by 60% 2

4. Long-term use: Zolpidem is indicated for short-term treatment (≤4 weeks) 4, although some studies show maintained efficacy for up to 6 months without significant tolerance 4

5. Abrupt discontinuation: May lead to rebound insomnia, though this is generally minimal when used at recommended doses 4, 5

Zolpidem remains an effective option for short-term management of insomnia when used appropriately, with careful attention to proper dosing, administration timing, and monitoring for adverse effects.