Zolpidem
( Ambien )
Zolpidem (
Ambien ) is a Sleeping pill from a newer group of drugs called imidzopyridines.
Used primarily for short-term treatment of insomnia in adults.
Strengths:
Tables:
5 mg, 10 mg
Dosages:
Actual dosage must be determined by a physician.
Oral:
Start : 5 mg daily at bedtime, increase
to 10 mg if needed.
Increases : Assess after 10 days, increase as needed.
Maintenance : as low as possible in 24 hours.
Maximum : 10 mg in 24 hours.
Normal
dosage:
If under 18 years of age, DO NOT USE!
18 to 60 years of age, 10 mg at bedtime.
Over 60 years of age, 5 mg at bedtime. ( Increased to 10 mg
cautiously )
Problems
with:
Liver Function: Reduce dosage by 50%.
Kidney Function: Reduce dosage. ( Half life is doubled in chronic
kidney compromise )
Take
With: Empty stomach and
a full glass of water.
Full
Benefits In: In a
few days.
Missed
Dose(s): If you
take this drug at bedtime and miss it do not take in morning. If within one
hour take, if over an hour skip and then continue on your normal schedule.
Never Take a Double Dose!
If
Stop Taking: Do
not stop without consulting your physician and never abruptly if you have been
taking this drug for over 7 days.
Warnings
Narcotics may
increase the sedative effects of this drug. Do not drink alcohol with this drug,
it could decrease your breathing rate to the point of unconsciousness or coma.
Do not take this drug with any other drug that might slow the central nervous
system, like another sedative, benzodiazepine, sleeping pills, monoamine oxidase
inhibitor, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, or antihistamines.
The
habit-forming potential is high. Psychological and physical dependence is
possible. Do not stop taking this drug abruptly, this could cause psychological
and physical withdrawal symptoms.
Do not take this
drug if you are pregnant or if planning to become pregnant. Do not take if you
are breast-feeding.
Do not take this
drug if under eighteen and in small doses if over sixty with close monitoring.
Do
not use if: You had
negative reactions to a similar drug in the past. If you have kidney or liver
damage. If you have breathing problems or suffer form depression.
Zolpidem ( Symptoms or Effects )
Common:
Abdominal pain, abnormal dreaming, abnormal vision, amnesia, dry mouth, daytime
drowsiness, defective muscular coordination, depression, diarrhea, dizziness,
double vision, drugged feelings, euphoria, fatigue, insomnia, lethargy, light
headdress, nausea, painful digestion, tenderness/pain in muscles, upper
respiratory infection, vertigo, vomiting, headache or confusion.
Rare:
Abnormal liver function, abnormal secretion/discharge of tears, decrease of
white blood cells, abnormal thinking, abscesses, acne, acute kidney failure,
aggravated allergies/hypertension, aggression, altered salivation, anaphylactic
shock, anemia, boils, belching, breast pain, breast tumors/growths,
bronchial spasm, circulatory failure, decreased sex drive, delusions, dementia,
decrease of the lymph nodes, disease of the nerves, eye pain, facial swelling,
feeling of unreality, feeling strange, fluid in lungs, flushing, frequent
urination, glaucoma, gout, heart attack, hemorrhoids, herpes simplex, high
cholesterol, hot flashes, hysteria, impotence, increased appetite, illusions,
increased lipids in the blood, increased tolerance for the drug, inflammation of
a nerve/tendon/vein/artery/external auditory canal/intestines/middle
ear/skin/stomach, intestinal blockage, intoxicated feelings, irregular
heartbeat, joint disease, laryngitis, leg cramps, low blood pressure, manic
reactions, muscle spasms/weakness, neurosis, nosebleeds, oxygen deficiency,
general pain, painful/difficult urination, panic attacks, partial paralysis,
persistent desire to empty the bowel/bladder, personality disorder, pneumonia,
rectal bleeding/pain, restless legs, sciatica, sensation of sparks/flashes of
light, sensitivity to light, severe pain along the course of a nerve, shingles,
skin discoloration, sleepwalking, spasm of the esophagus, speech impairment,
sudden chill with high temperature followed by a sense of heat/profuse
perspiration, suicide attempt, temporary loss of consciousness, thirst, tooth
decay, ulceration of the cornea, urinary retention, varicose veins, weight loss
or yawning.
See
physician NOW: For any
problem listed above!