Description

How does Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet works?

Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) acts as a modulator at GABA_A receptors of chloride channel and thus enhance the inhibitory activity of GABA that causes sedation.

What do you need to know before taking Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet?

Do not take Ambien tablet Amoxicillin 500 mg

If you are allergic to Zolpidem tartrate

• If you have severe hepatic issues
• If you are suffering from breathing problems during sleep (sleep apnoea)
• If you are a hypoventilate i.e. you experience breathing difficulties
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (weak muscle condition)
• If you are suffering from psychosis
• If you are less than 18 years of age

Warnings and Precautions

You must consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablets:

• If you are suffering from any mental illness including depression
• If you have renal or hepatic problems
• If you have lung infection or breathing problem
• If you have a history of drug abuse or alcoholism
• If you have used some other similar medicines for insomnia in recent past

Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet might induce suicidal thoughts in its consumers; if you experience such thoughts you must immediately stop taking this medication and contact your doctor.

Interaction of Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet with other medicines

Do not take Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet with opioids as it can cause drowsiness, difficulty in breathing and can lead to coma. The concomitant use of zolpidem tartare with opioids should only be

considered if other treatment options are not available and your doctor has assessed all the risks and benefits. The dosage and treatment duration must also be decided by your doctor that must be supervised on regular basis.

If you take antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, anesthetics, hypnotics, sedative antihistamines along with Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet then you will experience enhanced drowsiness and impaired cognitive function.

If you take antidepressant and Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet together you will experience hallucinations.

If Rifampicin and Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablets are taken together the effect of Ambien tablet will be decreased.

Use of alcohol with Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablets

If you take Ambien tablet and you drink alcohol as well, you will experience an enhanced effect of Ambien tablet and you will also experience difficulty in breathing during sleep. Therefore do not drink alcohol if you are on therapy with Ambien tablet.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby or if you are a breastfeeding mother, you must consult your doctor before taking Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet. Studies showed that if you take Ambien tablet during your pregnancy the fetus might get affected and the baby born with a cleft palate and lip. Ambien tablet also affect the heart rate of baby, body temperature of baby drops, baby movements will reduce and muscle weakness in baby appears if you take Ambien tablet in last trimester. If you regulary use Ambien tablet during pregnancy the baby born with withdrawal symptoms.

Zolpidem tartrate is also excreted in breast milk in small amounts; therefore do not take Ambien tablet if you are a breastfeeding mother.

Effect of Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet on ability to drive or using machines

Ambien tablet causes next day psychomotor impairment and you will feel dizzy, sleepy and confused. Therefore if you are taking Zolpidem tartrate tablets then you must not get involved in such activities that require mental alertness such as driving etc.

How to take Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet?

Always take Ambien tablet exactly the way your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

Method of administration

Take the whole tablet orally without chewing or crushing the tablet, with a glass of water before going to sleep. Take this medicine only when you are able to sleep for 7-8 hour after taking this medicine.

Dosage:

The recommended dose of Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet is 10mg that is one tablet at bed time. Do not take more than one tablet (10mg) in 24 hours.

The usual daily dose for elderly and patients with hepatic problem is half of the adult dose. Ambien tablet is not recommended for children less than 18 years of age.

Ambien tablet should be used for a short period of time (2-4 weeks).

What if you take more Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablets than you should?

If you take too many Ambien tablets, you must immediately rush to hospital or emergency department. The side effects of over dosage are drowsiness, deep sleep and you can even go to coma.

What if you forget to take Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet?

If you forget to take you Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet and you are unable to fall asleep, then you must take your dose as soon as you remind it or take the next scheduled dose at its right time (bed time), but do not take a double dose in order to make up for your missed dose.

What if you want to stop taking Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet? 

Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet causes dependence and if you stop taking it abruptly you will experience withdrawal effects. Therefore follow the mechanism of dose tapering (gradual dose reduction) in order to stop taking this medication to avoid withdrawal effects.

Withdrawal effects associated with ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet are: anxiety, restlessness, headache, nightmare, hallucinations, fits etc.

Side Effects

Some of the common side effects associated with use of Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablet are: hallucinations, poor memory, strange behavior, blurred vision etc.

How to store Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) tablets? Keep Ambien tablets out of reach and sight of children. Store Ambien tablet below 30^oC at a dry place.

Do not use Ambien tablet after the expiry date mentioned on the pack and blister strip after EXP.

Reference Links:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3975.pdf

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3975/smpc

 

Alcohol Interaction

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with zolpidem. Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of zolpidem such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Taking zolpidem with food may delay the onset of sleep. For faster sleep onset, zolpidem should not be taken with or immediately after a meal. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Pragnancy Interaction

Safety in pregnancy has not been established; avoid use in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

Lactation Interaction

Use in nursing mothers is not recommended.

Medicine Interaction

Common medications checked in combination with zolpidem Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine) Advair Diskus (fluticasone / salmeterol) amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Vanatrip) Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) citalopram (Celexa) clonazepam (Klonopin, Klonopin Wafer) Crestor (rosuvastatin) cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril, Fexmid, Amrix, Comfort Pac with Cyclobenzaprine) Cymbalta (duloxetine) Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Prozac Weekly, Selfemra, Rapiflux) gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Gabarone, Fanatrex) hydrocodone (Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER, Vantrela ER) hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax, Hyzine, Vistazine, Rezine) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, IBU, Children’s Motrin, Advil Liqui-Gels, Proprinal, IBU-200, Motrin IB, Advil Migraine, Ibu-8, Motrin Childrens, Caldolor, Ibuprofen PMR, Nuprin, Childrens Ibuprofen Berry, Motrin Migraine Pain, Addaprin, NeoProfen, Advil Infant’s Concentrated Drops, Ibu-Tab, Rufen, Genpril, Motrin Infant Drops, Haltran, Menadol, Midol IB, Saleto-200, Q-Profen, Saleto-400, Saleto-600, Saleto-800, A-G Profen, Advil Children’s, Advil Junior Strength, Midol Maximum Strength Cramp Formula, Actiprofen, PediaCare Infants’ IB Ibuprofen Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer, Ibu-4, PediaCare Children’s IB Ibuprofen Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer, Ibu-6, Motrin Junior Strength, Help I Have An Aching Body, Children’s ElixSure IB, Cap-Profen, Motrin Pediatric, Advil Film-Coated) Lexapro (escitalopram) Lipitor (atorvastatin) lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol) Lyrica (pregabalin) melatonin (Melatonin Time Release, Bio-Melatonin, SGard, Health Aid Melatonin, VesPro Melatonin) Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol) Metoprolol Tartrate (metoprolol) mirtazapine (Remeron, Remeron SolTab) Nexium (esomeprazole) Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, Xtampza ER, OxyIR, Oxaydo, Percolone, RoxyBond, Oxydose, Oxyfast, Oxecta, Dazidox, M-Oxy, ETH-Oxydose, Endocodone, Roxicodone Intensol) prednisone (Deltasone, Sterapred, Rayos, Sterapred DS, Prednicot, Orasone, Meticorten, Liquid Pred, Prednicen-M) ProAir HFA (albuterol) Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) Synthroid (levothyroxine) tramadol (Ultram, Tramadol Hydrochloride ER, Tramal, Ultram ER, ConZip, Larapam SR, Ryzolt, Tramal SR, GenRx Tramadol, Zamadol, Tramedo, Zydol, Tramahexal SR, Tramahexal, Zydol XL, Rybix ODT, Ultram ODT) Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) Xanax (alprazolam)

Faq for Medicine

Expert Advice

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia IMMEDIATE RELEASE (IR) TABLET, ORAL SPRAY, and SUBLINGUAL TABLET (EDLUAR): -Initial Dose: 5 mg (Women) OR 5 mg or 10 mg (Men) -Maintenance Dose: The dose may be increased to 10 mg if the 5 mg dose is not effective. -Maximum Dose: 10 mg once a day. -Duration of Therapy: The clinical trials in support of efficacy were 4 to 5 weeks in duration.

How it Works

Zolpidem is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems (insomnia). Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia. The immediate-release forms are Ambien, Intermezzo, Edluar, and Zolpimist, which are used to help you fall asleep. The extended-release form of zolpidem is Ambien CR which has a first layer that dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep, and a second layer that dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep.