Zolpidem

Uses	Insomnia
Therapy	Hypnotic
Side Effects	Dizziness, diarrhoea, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, nose or throat infections, tiredness, stomach pain, double vision and back pain.

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Molecule Description

Zolpidem belongs to a class of medicine called sedative-hypnotics, used primarily to treat insomnia, a disorder causing difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia may be acute or short-term and chronic or long-term due to various complications like stress, anxiety and breathing problems.

Uses

As per CDSCO, Zolpidem is used to manage Insomnia

Contraindications

When should one not use Zolpidem

If you suffer from severe liver disease.
If you have severe breathing problems.
If you have sleep apnoea - sudden stopping of breathing during sleep.
If you have severe muscle weakness.
If you have an allergy to Zolpidem.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Dizziness
Diarrhoea
Drowsiness
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Nose or throat infections
Tiredness
Stomach pain
Double vision
Back pain
Memory loss

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

You should not take Zolpidem during your pregnancy as it may cause harmful effects on your baby. In some cases, Zolpidem may be prescribed in pregnant women. Consult your doctor regarding its use if you are not sure.

Breast Feeding

It is not recommended to take Zolpidem during breastfeeding as there is insufficient data. Hence you should always consult your doctor before consuming Zolpidem, as a little amount of the medicine passes through the milk to the infant.

Driving

Zolpidem can affect your ability to drive or use machines. Dizziness, attention disturbance, syncope, blurred vision, and drowsiness have been reported in people receiving Zolpidem. Avoid driving or using machines until you know how this medicine affects you.

Alcohol

Taking Zolpidem while drinking alcohol may result in alcohol-related neurotoxicity and neuro-cardiogenic adverse events, including syncope, which may lead to accidental injury; therefore, patients should avoid alcohol while taking Zolpidem.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You are on any other medications.
You suffer from kidney problems.
You are an individual below 18.
You have breathing problems.
You have a history of depression or any mental illness.
You have increased intraocular pressure.
You suffer from liver disease.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Zolpidem is a sleeping pill used in the short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep). Zolpidem increases GABA activity (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent involved in inducing sleep). Thus, Zolpidem relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety and helps to fall asleep. Appropriate lifestyle changes are recommended along with Zolpidem to improve sleep quality.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Medicines that help lower high blood pressure such as metoprolol.
Opioid painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, naloxone, tramadol.
Antidepressants such as sertraline, desipramine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, fluvoxamine, escitalopram, amitriptyline, citalopram, duloxetine, mirtazapine.
Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, rifampicin.
Antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole.
Anti-anxiety medicine such as alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam.
Antiallergics/antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine.
Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine.
Antiepileptic medicine such as gabapentin, pregabalin.
All the above medicines may increase the risk of having side effects of Zolpidem, hence should not be taken in combination with these medicines.
Complete medicine interactions are not included in this list, so tell your doctor everything you take, including herbal and non-herbal products.

Interactions with food items

Avoid caffeine and St John's wort while taking this medicine unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Dosage

Overdose

Symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, problems with coordination and loss of consciousness may occur as a result of overdose, ranging in severity from mild to severe. Therefore, medical help should be sought as soon as possible in case of an overdose of Zolpidem.

Missed a Dose

If you miss a dose, you should take the missed dose just when you remember or if it's time for the next dose, you should continue with the regular dosage. You should not take the missed dosage plus the regular dosage, leading to an overdose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do not discontinue Zolpidem without consulting your doctor, as it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. To treat your condition, continue taking Zolpidem as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Zolpidem.

Yes, Zolpidem may cause mental and physical dependence, with a compulsion to keep taking it, if used in high doses and for a prolonged time. This risk of dependency on Zolpidem increases in patients who have a history of alcohol abuse.

You are recommended to take Zolpidem just before bedtime as it helps to sleep quickly and improve the quality of sleep.

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References:

Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. [cited 2026 Jun 4].

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