ZOLPIDEM

(zole PI dem) Brand: Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist

What is the most significant information I must know about zolpidem?

• In January 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lowered the recommended doze for zolpidem. If you have taken zolpidem in the past, your doctor may direct you to take a lower doze of this medication than you did till.

• Do not share this medicine with other person, even if they have the same symptoms you have. The recommended doses of zolpidem are not the same in men and women, and this drug is not authorized for use in children. Misuse of this medicine can result in dangerous side effects.

• Zolpidem may impair your thinking or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking zolpidem, especially if you take the extended-release tablet, or if you are a woman. Wait at least 4 hours or before you are fully awake till you do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

• Some people using this medication have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making telephone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking zolpidem and conversation with your doctor about other treatment for your sleep disorder.

• Do not take this medication if you have consumed alcohol during the day or just till bed.

• Zolpidem may be habit forming. Hold the medicine in a seat where others can't get to it.

• Zolpidem may reason a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking zolpidem and get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

What is zolpidem?

• Zolpidem is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and reason sleep problems (insomnia).

• Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia. The immediate-release forms of zolpidem 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 remain asleep.

• Ambien, Edluar, and Zolpimist are used to help you fall asleep when you first go to bed. Intermezzo, is used to help you fall back to sleep if you wake up in the medium of the night and then have trouble sleeping.

• Your doctor will determine which form of zolpidem is excellent for you.

• Zolpidem may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking zolpidem?

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to zolpidem. Zolpidem tablets may contain lactose. Use caution if you are sensitive to lactose.

• To create certain zolpidem is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have:

· kidney disease;

· liver disease;

· lung malady such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary malady (COPD);

· sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);

· myasthenia gravis;

· a history of depression, mental diseases, or suicidal thoughts; or

· a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

• Zolpidem may be habit forming and must be used only by the face it was predesigned for. Never share zolpidem with other face, especially somebody with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Hold the medicine in a seat where others can't get to it.

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether zolpidem will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

• Zolpidem can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing child. Speak your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

• The sedative effects of zolpidem may be stronger in older adults.

• Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years of age.

• It is dangerous to try and purchase zolpidem on the Internet or from vendors external of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of zolpidem purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

How must I take zolpidem?

• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this medication in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

• Zolpidem comes with patient instructions for safety and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Never take Ambien, Edluar, or Zolpimist if you do not have a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep till being active again.

• Do not take Intermezzo for middle-of-the-night insomnia unless you have 4 hours of sleep time left till being active.

• Zolpidem is for short-term use only. Speak your doctor if your insomnia symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after using this medicine for 7 to 10 nights in a row. Do not take zolpidem for longer than 4 or 5 weeks without your doctor's advice.

• Do not stop using zolpidem suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the medicine.

• Insomnia symptoms may also return after you stop taking zolpidem. These symptoms may seem to be even worse than till you started taking the medicine. Call your doctor if you still have worsened insomnia after the first little nights without taking zolpidem.

• Do not crush, chew, or interrupt an Ambien CR tablet. Swallow the pill intact.

• Do not swallow the Edluar or Intermezzo tablet intact. Seat the tablet under your tongue and let it to dissolve in your mouth without water.

• Spray Zolpimist directly into your mouth over your tongue. Prime the spray till the first use by pumping 5 test sprays into the air, away from your person. Prime the spray with 1 test spray if it has not been used for longer than 14 days.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Hold the Zolpimist bottle upright when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Since zolpidem is taken only at bedtime, you will not be on a frequent dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of zolpidem can be fatal when it is taken together with another medications that can reason drowsiness.

• Overdose symptoms may include sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

What must I avoid while taking zolpidem?

• Zolpidem may impair your thinking or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking zolpidem, especially if you take the extended-release tablet, or if you are a woman. Wait before you are fully awake till you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane, or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

• Avoid taking zolpidem during travel, such as to sleep on an airplane. You may be awakened till the effects of the medicine have worn off. Amnesia (forgetfulness) is more general if you do not get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep after taking zolpidem.

• Do not take this medication if you have consumed alcohol during the day or just till bed.

What are the possible side effects of zolpidem?

• Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: depression, anxiety, aggression, agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts, hallucinations, memory problems, changes in personality, risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger, or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

• Stop using zolpidem and call your doctor at once if you have:

· chest pain, quick or irregular heartbeat, feeling short of breath;

· trouble breathing or swallowing; or

· feeling like you might pass out.

• General side effects may include:

· daytime drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, feeling "drugged" or light-headed;

· weary feeling, loss of coordination;

· stuffy nose, dry mouth, nose or throat irritation;

· nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach; or

· headache, muscle pain.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect zolpidem?

• You may need a lower doze of zolpidem if you take another medicines that create you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cool medication, pain medicine, muscle relaxants, and medication for depression, anxiety, or seizures). Speak your doctor if you are currently taking any of these medications.

• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with zolpidem, especially:

· chlorpromazine;

· itraconazole or ketoconazole;

· rifampin; or

· an antidepressant--imipramine, sertraline.

• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with zolpidem, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about zolpidem.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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