Zolpidem
Drug Class: Hypnotics Brand Names: Ambien, Ambien CR, Intermezzo
Dosages
5 to 12.5 mg once a day.
Potential Side Effects
Abnormal dreams; blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; forgetfulness; headache; lack of coordination; lightheadedness; nausea; weakness.
Special Instructions
Use only when you are able to sleep for at least 7 hours.
Do not drive or perform other potentially dangerous activities until you know whether the medication will impair your ability to do them safely.
Take with a full glass of water at bedtime.
Be Aware
Combining any of these drugs with alcohol or other depressants (including antihistamines, narcotics and some dental anesthetics) can make side effects more severe. Also, many of the medicines used to treat fibromyalgia work by boosting the amount of serotonin in your body. Taking two or more of these drugs together could lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms usually begin within hours of combining the drugs and include confusion, agitation, irregular heartbeat, unstable blood pressure, tremors, muscle rigidity, nausea and vomiting. If you have these symptoms, stop taking your medication and seek immediate medical help.
Drinking alcohol while taking zolpidem increases the risk of sleepwalking.
LAST UPDATED: 03/27/2014
