Instructions for the use of Zolpidem. Reviews and Analogues

What is a Zolpidem medication? Instructions for use, synonyms and indications of this medication will be discussed further.

Form and composition

What does Zolpidem contain? The instruction states that the medicament in question consists of an active substance such as hemitortrate zolpidem (10 mg), as well as auxiliary elements. It is available in the form of white tablets, which are placed in the cellular contour packs of 15 pieces.

Pharmacological features

How does the medicine in question work? What does the instruction for use say? "Zolpidem" is very close to benzodiazepines by its action principle. This medication is able to show hypnotics, anticonvulsant, amnestic, anxiolytic and sedative properties.

The active element of the drug has a direct effect on the benzodiazepine receptors of the second and first types. It promotes the discovery of anionic neuronal channels by means of GABA receptors, which subsequently leads to an increased current of chlorine.

The interaction of this drug is selective. In this regard, the effect of taking the drug depends on the dose taken. Thus, smaller dosages allow us to achieve amnestic, myorelaxing and anxiolytic properties and to prevent a hypnotic effect

What is remarkable about this medication? What does the instruction for use say? "Zolpidem" accelerates the process of falling asleep and improves the quality of sleep. It should also be noted that after awakening, drowsiness in the patient does not persist.

Properties kinetic

How does the absorption of Zolpidem medication occur? The use of this drug, or rather its dosage depends on the indications. After about 30-110 minutes, the active substance of the drug reaches its maximum level in the blood. Almost all of it is associated with plasma proteins, and its bioavailability is 70%.

After admission to the liver tissue, the drug undergoes metabolic reactions, resulting in the formation of inactive derivatives. Some of them are excreted together with urine and approximately 40% - together with feces.

The half-life of the drug is 150 minutes. With serious violations in the liver, this process is extended to 10 hours.

The drug "Zolpidem", the instruction for use, the photo of which is presented below, penetrates into the mother's milk.

For what purpose?

What indications is the drug under consideration? What does the instruction for use say? "Zolpidem" - a pill designed to normalize sleep. They are used for night awakenings, insomnia or early ascent.

Prohibitions to use

Like all medicines, Zolpidem medication, the instruction of which is contained in a pack of cardboard, has its contraindications for use. The drug is not prescribed when:

• Allergies to zolpidem or other benzodiazepines;
• Respiratory failure severe or acute;
• Night apnea ;
• Pregnancy;
• Severe liver or kidney disease;
• Lactation;
• Intolerance;
• At a minor age.

It should also be noted that people who are depressed, as well as alcoholics, drug addicts and others who are dependent on others, should be especially careful when taking this medication. Otherwise, this can aggravate the patient's difficult situation.

Instructions for use

Zolpidem in tablet form should be taken only before bedtime. The standard dosage of this drug is 10 mg per day. For the elderly, the initial dose of the drug can be equal to 5 mg. If you need it, you can double it.

The maximum daily amount of Zolpidem is 10 mg. The duration of its application should not exceed more than one month.

For people with transient insomnia, doctors recommend using the drug for 2-5 days, and for a situational one - 14-21 days.

In the event that the treatment "Zolpidem" continues for several days, then the drug can be stopped abruptly. If the therapy is more than one week, then reduce the dose should be gradual, in order to avoid the development of unwanted reactions.

Side effects

How is the patient tolerated by Zolpidem? Instructions for use, reviews argue that in most cases the drug in question does not cause negative reactions. However, there are situations when, against the background of using this medication, the patient nevertheless feels the following undesirable effects:

• Nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, headache, diarrhea;
• Insomnia is paradoxical, painful sensations in the stomach, excitement;
• Dizziness, nightmarish dreams, anterograde amnesia (the risk of developing the latter is directly proportional to the dosage taken).

It should also be noted that very rarely Zolpidem causes the following reactions:

• Irritability, confusion, dysphoria, aggression;
• Unusual behavioral reactions, somnambulism, dependence on the drug;
• Rashes on the skin, liver function problems, hyperhidrosis, elevation of liver enzymes, Quincke's edema;
• Weakness in muscles, itching, decreased sexual activity, hives;
• Ataxia, and diplopia.

Cases of overdose

What symptoms of overdose can cause a drug Zolpidem? Instruction for use informs that if you abuse the medication in question or if you accidentally swallow a lot of tablets, the patient may experience confusion, ataxia, difficulty breathing, lowering blood pressure, coma, and blocking.

In case of an overdose, the patient should be vomited as soon as possible (within an hour). Also, the injured person should be given enterosorbents.

If the patient is unconscious, then the stomach is washed through a probe, and symptomatic therapy is also performed.

Interaction with other means

Is it acceptable to take Zolpidem with other medications? Instructions for use (a prescription for the purchase of this medicine should be prescribed only by an experienced doctor) states that a remedy such as "ketoconazole" is capable of doubling the half-life of the drug. In addition, this drug can enhance the effect of CNS depression.

Parallel taking the drug with alcohol often leads to a pronounced sedative effect of the drug, as well as to its overdose.

The medicine "Rifampicin" significantly accelerates metabolism, reduces the effectiveness and concentration of the taken tablets.

Careful appointment

With what medications should you use the Zolpidem medication with special care? The instructions for use (analogues of the agent are listed below) informs that the effect of therapy may be negative if the drug in question is combined with:

• Anxiolytics, barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs and narcotic analgesics;
• Hypnotics, neuroleptics, antitussive drugs of central action and antidepressants;
• Antihistamines with sedative effect, preparations for general anesthesia;
• "Pizotifenom", "Baclofen" and "Thalidomide."

It should also be noted that when combining this medication with "Buprenorphine", the risk of developing respiratory depression is significantly increased.

The preparation "Zolpidem" with "Intraconazole" is allowed to combine, but with extreme caution, since in this case it is possible to change the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of the first agent.

Special Information

What do you need to know about Zolpidem? Instructions for use (in tablets this drug is sold in virtually all pharmacies) claims that with prolonged treatment (approximately 20-30 days), the patient may develop mental or physical dependence on the drug. Such a reaction is especially affected by those who previously had a dependence on alcoholic beverages and other substances. In this regard, such a group of patients should be kept under constant control, and periodically monitor their mental and physical condition.

It should be specially noted that the risk of dependence is significantly increased if the agent in question is combined with other benzodiazepines.

When taking Zolpidem, the patient should take into account that within 8 hours after using the pill, he should be in a comfortable sleep environment, otherwise he may develop anterograde amnesia.

If after a few weeks of treatment, insomnia has not passed, the patient needs to reassess the condition. Most likely, such a paradoxical reaction is a consequence of primary mental disorders.

In the process of treatment, the person under consideration should refrain from performing actions that require increased concentration of attention, as well as driving the car.

In some people, on the background of taking Zolpidem (especially in elderly people), unusual behavioral disorders and mental reactions may develop. In this case, you should immediately stop taking the drug.

In the presence of liver disease, the active substance of the drug can accumulate in the body, and subsequently lead to undesirable effects.

With special care this drug should be administered to the elderly. This is due to the fact that they have a high risk of developing a sedative and miorelaxing effect, which can lead to falls and injuries.

Shelf life, terms of sale, storage

In view of the fact that the drug in question causes dependence, it is necessary to have a medical prescription for its acquisition. Store this medicine preferably in a place that is well protected from children, at a temperature of not more than 25 degrees. Shelf life of the drug is three years.

Similar tools and synonyms

The most common drugs for insomnia, which are analogs of Zolpidem, are the following: Andante, Donormil, Sondox, Barbovan, Zopiclone, Sonmil, Imovan.

As for the synonyms, they include: "Hypnogen", "Ivadal", "Zolsana", "Oniria", "Snovitel", "Sanvall", "Nitrest."

Lactation and Pregnancy

The effect of the drug in question on pregnant women has not been studied. However, the results of studies that have been conducted on laboratory rats, argue that this medication has a teratogenic effect. In connection with this, taking Zolpidem during fetal gestation is highly discouraged.

One can not help saying that a hypnotic in a small amount can penetrate into the mother's milk. Therefore, lactation at the time of treatment should be discontinued.

Reviews of consumers and the cost of the drug

You can buy Zolpidem medication practically in any pharmacy, presenting a prescription to the pharmacist. The average cost of this medicine (10 tablets) is about 820-900 rubles. Patients argue that this is a fairly high price for a hypnotic. However, experts say that the cost of this drug is justified, as it is good for insomnia and bad sleep. Most consumers fully agree with the latest statement. They respond well about the drug, but only if they take it strictly according to the doctor's prescription or instruction.

In their reports, patients say that the drug in question allows them to fall asleep normally and quickly, and also to get a good sleep after the stress. However, Zolpidem tablets also have negative sides. For example, they can cause side reactions, which most often develop with hypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug or non-compliance with the regimen. The most common negative effects are: headaches, dizziness, nausea and hallucinations. In this case, the patient may develop addiction, especially when the drug is combined with alcoholic beverages.