|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (zole
PI
dem) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Ambien® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Hypnotic, Nonbenzodiazepine |
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|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
If you have an allergy to zolpidem or any other part of this
medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms
involved. |
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
This medicine is used to treat sleep
disorders. |
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
Zolpidem calms the brain. |
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
This medicine should be used for short periods of time (7-10 days).
Take this medicine at bedtime.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours
after meals. |
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
If you have been taking this medicine every night for more than 2
weeks, do not stop medicine. Wean yourself off over several nights.
Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take
more often than every 24 hours, unless instructed by healthcare
provider. |
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could
have more side effects.
If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
If you wake up in the early morning, this medicine will not help.
Do not nap.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines
and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include
sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain
medicine.
If you have lung disease, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding. |
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Change in balance.
Headache. Mild pain medicine may help. |
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same? |
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness,
emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in
life.
Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
Store at room temperature.
Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
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|
| General statements |
|
|
Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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