In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Zolpidem has a rapid hypnotic effect. This substance makes it easier to fall asleep, and thanks to it, our sleep is longer and much calmer than usual. Zolpidem means that we do not wake up often from sleep. It also has a sedative effect and can be used in the short term to treat insomnia.
Zolpidem is a hypnotic agent belonging to the imidazopyridine group. It is a substance used i.a. for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Zolpidem binds only to the omega-1 receptor, which is part of the GABA-A receptor. What are the properties of zolpidem?
Zolpidem – application
Zolpidem should be taken orally, preferably immediately before bedtime or while lying in bed. In any case, swallow the tablet at least 30 minutes after a meal. For safe treatment, zolpidem should be used for a maximum of 4 weeks. This period also includes the period when the patient should gradually reduce the dose of the substance.
Zolpidem – precautions
Zolpidem does not impair drivers’ ability to drive the day after taking zolpidem. However, caution should be exercised because, as with other sleeping pills, you may feel drowsy the next morning after taking zolpidem.
In addition, alcohol should not be consumed while using zolpidem. The drug is also banned in children, but in adolescents it can be used from the age of 15.
Zolpidem should also not be used in people who are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients of the drug. Zolpidem should also not be used in pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
Zolpidem – addiction
With time, when using zolpidem for a longer time, the so-called tolerance to the drug, which reduces its effectiveness. It is then necessary to increase the dose, but it should be remembered that using Zolpidem for a long time may lead to addiction. The symptoms of zolpidem addiction are both physical and mental.
The higher the dose and the longer the treatment duration, the greater the risk of developing addiction. In addition, the risk of zolpidem addiction is always higher in people who have been addicted to other drugs or alcohol in the past. People with personality disorders are also at increased risk.
When a person addicted to zolpidem suddenly stops taking it, they begin to experience symptoms of abstinence. These include anxiety, over-agitation, dizziness and headaches, muscle aches, and constant tension and extreme irritability. The symptoms that led to the prescription of zolpidem also frequently reappear. This is called rebound syndrome, which means e.g. recurrence of insomnia.
Zolpidem – side effects
The use of Zolpidem is also associated with the so-called subsequent amnesia. It means that the person taking the medicine is unable to learn and remember new information. In addition, a paradoxical reaction may also develop, i.e. a reaction different from the therapeutic goal. For example, Zolpidem, instead of calming down and making it easier to fall asleep, leads to over-stimulation.
The active substance zolpidem can be found, among others in the following preparations: Nasen, Stilnox, Zolpic
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.