Zolpidem (Systemic)
Brand Names : Ambien
Before Using This MedicineSleep medicines may cause
a special type of memory loss or ``amnesia''. When this occurs, a person does
not remember what has happened during the several hours between use of the
medicine and the time when its effects wear off. This is usually not a problem
since most people fall asleep after taking the medicine. In most instances,
memory problems can be avoided by taking zolpidem only when you are able to
get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think you are having memory problems.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor
will make. For zolpidem, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to zolpidem. Also tell your health care professional if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or
dyes.
Pregnancy - Zolpidem has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that zolpidem slows down the
development of the offspring when given to the mother in doses many times
the human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if
you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - Although zolpidem passes into breast milk, it has
not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult
patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of zolpidem in
children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Confusion and falling are more likely to occur in
the elderly, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects
of zolpidem.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
zolpidem, it is especially important that your health care professional know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause
drowsiness) or
-
Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine
[e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane],
doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g.,
Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil]) - The
CNS depressant effects of either these medicines or zolpidem may be increased,
possibly leading to unwanted effects
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of zolpidem. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
-
Drug abuse or dependence (or history of) - Dependence on zolpidem
may develop
-
Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or
-
Mental depression or
-
Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep) - Zolpidem
may make these conditions worse
-
Kidney disease or
-
Liver disease - Higher blood levels of zolpidem may result, increasing
the chance of side effects
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