What is Zolpidem?

Zolpidem is a medication used for treating sleeping disorders like insomnia. It can be found under various brand names. The most common one is Ambien. Zolpidem belongs to the sedatives (hypnotics) class. It works by balancing chemicals in the brain and halting the process of sending and receiving messages so an individual can fall asleep with ease. It is a prescription-based medication and is widely available. You can find it in the form of extended-release tablets, tablets, and sprays.

What is Zolpidem Used for?

As Zolpidem is a sleep medication, it helps people with sleep disorders fall asleep. It can also be used to elevate onsets of sleep and sleep onset latency.

How Effective is Zolpidem?

Zolpidem is an effective treatment. However, it is a short-term treatment. It works by increasing Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) by binding to GABA receptors. The medication begins exhibiting results within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption. It reaches peak concentration levels at 1 to 1.5 hours.

How Should I Take Zolpidem?

Take Zolpidem as instructed by your doctor. Make sure never to cut, crush or chew the medication. Avoid taking medicine with food as it does not have the same effect. You should never take more than one tablet per day and avoid exceeding the 10mg limit.

What Dose should I Choose?

You should take the dosage that a doctor prescribes. The dose of Zolpidem can vary from patient to patient, so it is essential to consult a GP before taking the medication. Keep in mind that initially, the dosage is relatively low.

For the treatment of insomnia, extended-release tablets of 6.25mg are prescribed once a day. The typical dosage of Zolpidem is between 5 to 10mg. Note that the daily dose should never exceed 10 mg.

Is Zolpidem a Good Treatment for Insomnia?

Zolpidem is one of the best short-term treatments for insomnia. This is because Zolpidem acts at a rapid pace and does not have any rebound risks. As a result, the medication allows you to fall asleep more quickly while increasing sleep time. In addition to this, Zolpidem improves the quality of sleep as well.

What are the Side Effects of Zolpidem?

Zolpidem can cause a wide array of side effects as it is a sleeping pill. The following common side effects may occur:

  • Bitter or metallic taste
  • Excessively dry mouth
  • Diarrhoea or an upset stomach
  • Sinusitis
  • Constipation or stomach pains
  • Lethargy or fatigue
  • Sore throat or scratchiness in the throat
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Drowsiness or tiredness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Joint, back, and neck pain
  • Sudden redness in the eyes
  • Heartburn
  • Gas or flatulence
  • Amnesia or short-term memory loss
  • Drugged feeling or feeling inebriated
  • Heart palpitations, pounding heartbeat
  • Feeling like your heart is skipping a beat
  • Sudden ringing, pain, and itching in ears
  • Pain, burning, and/or numbness in hands

Note that common side effects go away on their own in a few hours.

Similarly, some severe side effects include:

  • Hallucinations or seeing things that are not there
  • Depression or mood swings
  • Serious memory loss
  • Delusional thoughts
  • Increased risk of falls due to vertigo
  • Sudden rash in certain parts of the body
  • Wheezing or symptoms that resemble asthma
  • Swollen eyes and face
  • Jaundice
  • Blurred vision
  • Breaking out in hives
  • Chest tightness

If such symptoms occur, seek medical help right away.

When should I not take Zolpidem?

You should not take Zolpidem if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Do not take Zolpidem if you are drinking or are planning to drink. Similarly, inform your doctor of your medical history before taking the medication – especially if you have kidney problems.

What are some Alternatives to Zolpidem?

If Zolpidem does not work as well for you as you expected it to, you can try the following treatment options:

  • Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
  • Light therapy
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Exercising on a regular basis
  • Stimulus control therapy
  • Sleep restriction and compression

You can also try other medications, such as non-benzodiazepines, zaleplon, clonzaepam, melatonin agonist, orexin receptor antagonist, eszopiclone, ramelteon as well as antihistamines.

Can I buy Zolpidem Online?

Although Zolpidem is a prescription-based medicine, you can find it at various pharmacies. If you have a prescription, you will be required to upload a picture of your approved prescription, which our in-house doctors will then review. Under the circumstances, if you do not have a prescription, you simply need to fill out a form available on our website to gain access to a prescription. Our pharmacists will review the online questionnaire. Once approved, you will be issued a prescription, and you will be able to purchase Zolpidem online.

FAQs

Can you take Zolpidem and Zopiclone together? 

No. It is not advised to take Zolpidem and Zopiclone together as they can potentially elevate the side effects of both. You may experience severe dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, particularly the elderly, it is common to experience severe impairment in thinking, judgment, along with motor coordination.

Is Zolpidem the Same as Zopiclone? 

Zolpidem and Zopiclone are both from the same class. They are nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agents. According to a double-blind comparative study of the two drugs in consideration of the treatment of insomnia, it has been stated that although the two contain similar properties, the effects vary slightly. While both work similarly, Zolpidem has significantly less rebound of insomnia after discontinuation of the drug.

Can Zolpidem Cause Memory Loss? 

There are various side effects related to the use of Zolpidem. One of them is short-term memory loss. Zolpidem and other brand names can cause memory loss, however, note that the effects are almost always temporary.

How many Mgs of Zolpidem is Safe? 

The doctor recommends the precise dose of Zolpidem as the dosage of this particular medication varies for every individual. Initially, one must start with a low dose. The typical dosage of Zolpidem for treating insomnia is 6.25mg (once a day before going to sleep).

The average dose can vary from 5 to 10 mg depending on the severity of the case. Similarly, your doctor may increase or decrease your dose as required.

It is crucial to remember that one should not take more than 10mg of Zolpidem per day.

How do I Stop taking Zolpidem? 

It is best not to stop taking Zolpidem abruptly. Instead, gradually lower the dosage until the patient feels comfortable not taking it anymore. Consult your doctor regarding this, as they are best fitted to determine an ideal solution suitable for you.

How does Zolpidem Work? 

Zolpidem works by boosting a chemical in your brain known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is in charge of blocking some of the neurotransmitters that send messages in the brain. Due to the blockage, the brain experiences a calming effect, which allows one to fall asleep easily.

How Long Does Zolpidem Stay in Your System? 

This depends on different factors like age, weight, and dosage. However, Zolpidem stays in the system for about 14 hours in a typical healthy body.

How Long Does Zolpidem Take to Work? 

Zolpidem can take up to 20 to 60 minutes to absorb into the bloodstream. This means that most individuals fall asleep within an hour of taking the medication. However, the person’s age, weight, and presence of other diseases play a significant role in the amount of time it takes for Zolpidem to work. There can be a slight effect on Zolpidem’s working if there are interactions with any other drugs.

Is it Safe to Take 20 Mg of Zolpidem? 

No, it is not safe to take 20 mg of Zolpidem. You should never take more than 10mg of Zolpidem in one day.

Is Zolpidem Stronger than Zopiclone? 

Zolpidem is not stronger than Zopiclone. They are both incredibly effective. The key difference is that Zolpidem does not have high addiction risks.

Can I take Zolpidem Every Night? 

As a short-term treatment, yes, you can. You can take it every night as instructed by a doctor.

Can you Drink Alcohol With Zolpidem? 

No. Mixing a sleeping pill like Zolpidem with alcohol can lead to adverse side effects. It can worsen the side effects and even lead to overdose.

Can you Overdose on Zolpidem? 

Yes. You can overdose on Zolpidem. It can be extremely dangerous and can even be fatal.

Can you Snort Zolpidem? 

Yes, you can snort Zolpidem. However, snorting Zolpidem can lead to life-threatening symptoms. The side effects of the medication can worsen, too.

Can you Take Zolpidem while Pregnant? 

It is not recommended to take Zolpidem while pregnant as it can lead to premature birth, low birth weight as well as Zolpidem dependency in the baby. It can cause withdrawal symptoms, too. It does not cause miscarriages, but it can cross over the placenta and pass on the side effects to the baby.

Can Zolpidem be Cut in Half? 

No. It is not advised to cut Zolpidem in half. Do not crush, chew or snort the medication. Instead of cutting it, consider lowering the dosage.

Can Zolpidem cause Anxiety? 

Yes. Zolpidem can cause anxiety.

Can Zolpidem cause High Blood Pressure? 

Yes. Zolpidem can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure.

Does Zolpidem cause Depression? 

Yes. Zolpidem can cause mood swings and depression.

Does Zolpidem cause Constipation? 

Yes. Zolpidem can cause stomach problems. It is a common side effect. You may experience constipation or diarrhoea while taking the medication.

Does Zolpidem cause Hair Loss? 

One of the most common side effects of sleeping pills like Zolpidem is hair loss, hair thinning, head skin irritation, as well as itching.