Zolpidem Tartrate 10mg Tablets

Description

Zolpidem Tartrate 10mg Tablets are sleeping pills that can be taken for short-term treatment of severe insomnia.

Sometimes Zolpidem Tartrate is mistakenly called “Zolpidem Titrate”,  but the correct name is Zolpidem Tartrate.

It helps you fall asleep more quickly and makes you less likely to wake up during the night. It works by affecting a calming chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

The tablets are white, film-coated, and designed to be swallowed whole just before bedtime, ideally when you can dedicate 7-8 hours to uninterrupted sleep.

Key facts About Zolpidem Tartrate

• Zolpidem Tartrate 10mg tablets takes around 1 hour to work.
• You’ll usually take it for a few days or weeks (up to 4 weeks). It’s only used for a short period because your body gets used to it quickly. After a few weeks, it’s unlikely to have the same effect.
• Your body can also become dependent on it.
• Common side effects are a metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth, and feeling sleepy in the daytime.
• Do not drink alcohol while you’re on Zolpidem. Having them together can make you go into a deep sleep where you find it difficult to wake up.
• If Zolpidem Tartrate makes you feel sleepy in the daytime, do not drive a car, ride a bike or use machinery.

The recommended dose is one 10mg tablet taken once daily immediately before bed. For patients over 65 or those with kidney or liver issues, a lower 5mg dose may be prescribed. Do not exceed the prescribed dose or take the medication for longer than four weeks to avoid risks of tolerance, dependence, and other side effects.

Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and dry mouth. Serious symptoms like hallucinations, memory problems, or allergic reactions require immediate medical attention. Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving, after taking zolpidem.

Explore our easy-to-follow guide on Zolpidem Tartrate for UK patients for more information on this medicine.

You can also see our FAQ guide on this medicine

Side Effects

Like all medicines, zolpidem can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects Associated with Zolpidem Tartrate

These common side effects of zolpidem happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

• A bitter or metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth
• Feeling sleepy or tired the next day
• Headaches
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• Diarrhoea
• Back pain

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious side effects

Some people can get serious side effects with zolpidem.

Stop taking zolpidem and call a doctor or call 111 as soon as possible if you:

• develop memory loss (amnesia)
• see or hear things that are not real (hallucinations)
• fall over – particularly if you’re over the age of 65
• think things that are not true – these are called delusions
• feel low or sad – this could be a sign of depression

Serious allergic reactions

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to Zolpidem.

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you:

• get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• have wheezing
• get tightness in your chest or throat
• have trouble breathing or talking
• notice your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start to swell

You could be having a serious allergic reaction, and you may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Information Leaflet

Zolpidem – 10mg – Patient Information Leaflet

Dosage Recommendation

Zolpidem Tartrate tablets come in 2 different strengths: 5mg and 10mg.

The usual dose is one 10mg tablet, taken just before you go to bed. It takes around 30 minutes to work.

If you’re 65 years old or over, or if you have kidney or liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of 5mg.

How to take it

It’s important to take zolpidem exactly as your doctor tells you. Your doctor may ask you to take a tablet only 2 or 3 nights a week, rather than every night.

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew it.

You can take Zolpidem Tartrate with or without food.

How long to take it for

You’ll usually be prescribed zolpidem for 2 days to 4 weeks.

It’s only prescribed for a short period because your body gets used to this medicine quickly. After taking it for a few weeks, it’s unlikely to have the same effect. Your body can also become dependent on it.

If you still have problems sleeping after you finish your course of zolpidem, try lifestyle changes for insomnia such as taking a warm bath before bed and not napping during the day. See your doctor again if these changes do not help.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take your zolpidem, leave out the missed dose. Start again the next night and take your zolpidem at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you take too much

Taking more than your prescribed dose of zolpidem can be dangerous. You may get symptoms including:

• feeling drowsy, feeling confused, sleeping deeply and possibly going into a coma
• feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint due to low blood pressure
• floppy muscles
• falling over or losing your balance
• shallow breathing or difficulty breathing