Zolpidem

Zolpidem is a drug from the group of sedative-hypnotics. These medications can be used to treat insomnia (trouble falling asleep and staying asleep). It is used for several days and is known to improve your sleeping patterns. Zolpidem comes as a regular tablet and extended-release tablet for oral administration. Try to avoid taking it with some meal, especially if it’s high in fat, as this can slow down the absorption of this drug. The best way to take Zolpidem is 5 minutes before going to bed. You should plan for at least 7-8 hours of sleep when taking Zolpidem. Getting up earlier than that can cause memory problems and drowsiness for the rest of the day. Zolpidem may cause mild side effects, such as burning or tingling, dizziness, heartburn, uncontrollable shaking, dry mouth, stomach pain, unsteady walking, diarrhea, changes in appetite, muscle aches, neck pain, weakness, headache, drowsiness, and constipation. These mild side effects are unlikely to change in intensity or become bothersome, but if they do, make sure you report them to your health care provider. More serious side effects are also possible, including rash, nausea, swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat, chest pain, hives, hoarseness, pounding heartbeat, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, shortness of breath, blurred vision, and vomiting. Some mental health changes are rarely experienced by people taking Zolpidem. It’s impossible to tell for sure whether such symptoms are related to taking Zolpidem or may only be contributed to by this medicine. If you notice any of the following reactions, please talk to your health care provider: unusual behavior, confusion, memory problems, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, aggressiveness, hallucinations, and new or worsening depression. Before you start the treatment, tell your health care provider if you have or used to have a history of depression or mental illness, kidney disease, liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, a history of suicidal thoughts, bronchitis, a history of drug or alcohol addiction, sleep apnea, asthma, or myasthenia gravis. If you are also using medications for anxiety, seizure drugs, sedatives, mental illness drugs, sertraline, rifampin, tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain medications, cold or allergies medications, or sleeping pills, they all need to be reported to your health care provider. Your sleep patterns are expected to improve after 7-10 days of using Zolpidem regularly. If that does not happen and you still have trouble falling asleep, talk to the doctor that prescribed this medicine. Zolpidem is FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether any health effects are possible in an unborn baby, but Zolpidem has been reported to pass to breast milk. Therefore, pregnant or breastfeeding women are not supposed to be taking this medication. Sedative effects of Zolpidem can be stronger in older patients. Zolpidem is not intended for anyone younger than 18.

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