Zolpidem: How Should I Take Zolpidem

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

How should I take zolpidem?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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

Take zolpidem only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have a full 7 to 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping.

Take zolpidem with a full glass of water.

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

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking zolpidem after taking it over several days in a row. Do not stop taking zolpidem suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Withdrawal symptoms include behavior changes, stomach pain, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, panic, tremors, and seizure (convulsions). Insomnia symptoms may also return after you stop taking zolpidem. These symptoms may seem to be even worse than before you started taking the medication. Call your doctor if you still have worsened insomnia after the first few nights without taking zolpidem.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Store zolpidem at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Last updated:	June 24, 2008