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Zolpic is a drug that is used to treat insomnia. The active substance in Zolpic is zolpidem, a hypnotic drug from the imidazopyridine group. Zolpic works very quickly, which is why people struggling with insomnia often decide to use this drug. How to properly dose Zolpic and are there any contraindications to its use?
Zolpic – composition and action
Zolpic is a drug that can only be purchased in pharmacies with a prescription. The active substance in Zolpic is the drug zolpidem, which belongs to the group of imidazopyridines. Zolpidem is a hypnotic and sedative drug. This substance, like other benzodiazepines, binds to the benzodiazepine receptor, which is part of the GABA-A receptor complex. Zolpidem selectively activates the type 1 benzodiazepine receptor. Zolpic has a very rapid hypnotic effect. This medicine helps you fall asleep, extends sleep time, prevents you from waking up too early, and reduces the number of times you wake up during sleep. Zolpidem also ensures the occurrence of deep sleep phases. The advantage of Zolpic is that it does not affect the activity during the day after using the sleeping dose the previous evening. The drug has a calming effect. Zolpic is metabolized in the liver and eliminated from the body as inactive metabolites.
Zolpic – indications and contraindications
The indication for the use of Zolpic is persistent sleeping problems, which turn into insomnia. Zolpic is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Unfortunately, not all patients struggling with insomnia can use Zolpic. A contraindication to the use of Zolpic is hypersensitivity to the active substance zolpidem and any of the ingredients of the preparation. Zolpic should also not be used by patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, myasthenia gravis, severe hepatic insufficiency, as well as acute lung failure and other respiratory disorders. The drug cannot be used by mentally ill people. Zolpic is not given to children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
- Other zolpidem-containing agents include Stlinox and Nasen.
Zolpic – correct dosage
Zolpic is available in pharmacies as film-coated tablets that are taken orally. The correct dosage of the drug Zolpic is determined by the doctor who starts the treatment of insomnia with this preparation. According to the recommendations in the package leaflet, the daily dose of Zolpic should be 10 mg. The tablet should be taken immediately before going to bed. Under no circumstances should you take the next dose in the same night, as the maximum dose is 10 mg per day. Zolpic is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, therefore it should not be used for more than a few days. The maximum duration of treatment with Zolpic may be 4 weeks.
Zolpic – possible side effects
The use of Zolpic can cause various side effects in patients. The side effects mainly affect the nervous and digestive systems. The more common side effects include headache, dizziness, increased insomnia, hallucinations, agitation, nightmares, fatigue, irritability, diplopia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.