Zolpidem sleeping tablets to treat insomnia
About zolpidem
Zolpidem (Ambien) is a sleeping pill
It’s used to help people who have difficulty sleeping. It enables you to fall asleep faster and makes you less likely to wake up at night.
Zolpidem is available as tablets. It’s only available by prescription.
Key facts
- Zolpidem works for around an hour.
- You’ll usually take a medication for a few weeks (up to 4 weeks).
- Common side effects include a metallic taste in your throat or a dry mouth, which may cause you to feel sleepy during the day.
- Don’t have alcohol or caffeine when you’re using zolpidem.
- Zolpidem (Stilnox) is also known by the brand name Ambien.
What is Zolpidem for?
Zolpidem is safe for most adults aged 18 and older.
Zolpidem is not suitable for everyone. If you have any medications, talk to your doctor before using zolpidem.
Is Belbien Zolpidem the same thing?
Read more here: belbien zolpidem from Hemofarm.
You can buy zolpidem (belbien) 10 mg brand by hemofarm here
- I have had an allergic reaction to sleeping pills in the past
- have liver or kidney problems
- Have Myasthenia Gravis, an illness that causes muscles to weaken
- Have breathing problems or sleep apnoea (where you stop breathing for brief periods while asleep).
- Have you ever suffered from mental health problems?
- Have you ever had any issues with alcohol or drugs?
- Are you trying to get/already pregnant/breastfeeding
When and how to take Zolpidem
Zolpidem comes in two different strengths – 5mg and 10mg
The usual dose is 10 mg of CBD, taken 1 hour before bed. If you’re over age 65 or have kidney or liver problems, your doctor may start you on the lowest dose of 5 mg.
Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Don’t chew or crush it. You can take zopiclone with or without food.
It’s essential to take medicine as directed by your doctor. They may ask you to take a tablet just 2–3 nights a week instead of every night.
Take Zolpiem when you have trouble falling asleep.
Very Important
Take no more than your prescribed dose of medication.
What if I forget to take it?
Just skip the missed dose if you forget to get up at night to take your zolpidem. Try the next night again and get your zolpidem taken at the usual time.
Don’t take two doses at the same time! Don’t take an extra amount just because you forgot to take one.
What to do if you take too much?
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- You take more than your prescribed amount of zolpidem.
Ask them again if you don’t feel any different after asking 111 for advice.
Call 111 or go to 111.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
If you need to take medication, take the zolpidem packet or leaflet inside with you, plus any remaining medicine.
It’s a good thing to bring someone with you when you visit the doctor because if you fall asleep on the way there, they might not be able to wake you up. Don’t drive yourself.
Side effects
Zolpidem may cause side effects in some individuals, although not everyone experiences these side effects.
Common side effects
Common side effects include a bitter or metallic taste, a dry mouth, or both. If these side effects bother you, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Using a mouthwash at night may help. Choose one that’s best for a dry mouth because some can worsen dry throat. You can also try drinking small amounts of water and keeping some water by your bed.
Serious side effects
Some people can get severe side effects with zolpidem. Stop having zolpidem and call a doctor as soon as possible if you:
- amnesia
- See or hear things that aren’t there (hallucinations).
- Fall over – particularly when you’re older than 65
- Think things that aren’t true – these are called delusions
- Feeling down or depressed could be a sign that you’re depressed.
Serious allergic reaction
Rarely it’s possible to develop an allergy to zolpidem, which can be life-threatening.
Immediate action required – call 999 or go to A & E if:
- You get a skin rash that includes itchy, red, inflamed, blistered, or peeling skin.
- You’re having trouble breathing
- You may feel tightness in your chest or throat.
- you have difficulty breathing or talking
- Your mouth, face, lips, or tongue starts swelling
You might be having a severe allergic reaction and may need emergency medical attention immediately.
These are not all of the side effects of zopiclone. To get a complete list, check the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
If you experience any side effects, you can report them to the UK safety scheme (MHRA).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take Zolpidem if you are pregnant, as it may cause harm to your baby. Some studies suggest that having zolpidem may increase the risk of your child coming early and having a lower birth weight.
If you take zolpidem right before you enter labor, your baby’s chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when born may increase.
If you’re pregnant and have zolpidem, read this leaflet from the BUMPS website for more information about how it affects you and your baby.
Zolpidem and breastfeeding
If a doctor or healthcare professional tells you that your baby is healthy and safe to take zolpidem, it’s OK to take it while breastfeeding. Zolpidem crosses into breast milk in very tiny amounts.
However, it’s better to take some practical steps to help yourself sleep before trying anything else. The side effects of sleeping pills could make you feel too sleepy to breastfeed and care for your baby.
If you’re eating Zolpidem, don’t share a bed with your child.
If your baby isn’t feeding as well as usual or seems unusually sleepy, talk to a health professional immediately.
Non-urgent advice: Tell a doctor or a pharmacist if you’re:
- breastfeeding
- pregnant
- trying to get pregnant
Drug interactions
Drug interactions may change how medications work or increase your risk for severe side effects. This document does not include all possible interactions between drugs. Please list all the medicines and supplements you take (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal remedies) and theme them which your physician and pharmacist. Don’t take any medications without first talking to your doctor.
A product that may interfere with this medication is sodium oxybate.
Other medications can remove Zolpidem from your body, which may affect how well zolpidem works for you. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, Among others.
The risk of serious adverse events (such as slow/ shallow breathing, severe dizziness, etc.) may be increased when this medication is taken with other products that can also cause these symptoms. If you’re taking any prescription medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist about them before you start using this product.
Treat fungal infections (such as ketoconazole and itraconazole), ritonavir, which is used to treat HIV infections, strong painkillers (such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine, or Tramadol), mixing zolpidem with herbs and supplements, Do not take any herbal remedy that makes you feel sleepy.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness and allergic reactions. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Cautions with other medicines
Some medications and zolpidem may interact with each other and increase the risk of side effects. Certain medications may increase the sedative effects of zolpidem.
Before taking zolpidem, speak to a doctor or a pharmacologist if you take any of these medicines:
- These include chlorphenamine, promethazine,
- medications for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
- medicine for depression
- medications for epilepsy
- drugs to calm or relieve anxiety
- medicine for sleep problems
- drugs used to treat yeast infections (such as clotrimazole and fluconazole)
- Ritonavir (a drug used to treat HIV infections).
- Strong painkillers (like codeine, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, hydrom
What if mixing zolpidem with herbal remedies and supplements
Don’t take any herbal remedies that cause drowsiness when taking zolpidem (Ambien).
These can increase the sedative effects of your medicine.
Important
If you take any other medicines, including herbs, vitamins, or supplements, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using this one.
FAQs
Is Belbien Ambien the same thing?
Yes, Belbien contains the same active ingredient, Zolpidem tartrate as Ambien. As such belbien ambien is the same thing.
What is Ambien CR?
Ambien Ambien CR Descriptions Zolpidem treats insomnia (trouble sleeping). It belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which slows down the nervous system. Zolpidem will help you get to sleep faster and sleep throughout the night. AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR are not recommended in children under the age of 18 years.
What is zolpidem?
Zolpidem improves your sleep by increasing the level of a chemical in your brain known as GABA.
GABA blocks some of the neurotransmitters that send signals in the brain. It calms the brain, which makes you feel sleepy.
How long will it be before it starts working?
Zolpidem works within an hour of taking it.
What will zolpidem do for me?
Zolpidem makes you feel drowsy (sleepy). It affects people differently; some may feel more tired than others. It is a good option when having trouble falling asleep and waking up in the middle of the night.
You may feel sleepy during the day for the first few days after starting this medication. You may experience some side effects from taking this medication.
Will I be able to fall asleep without sleeping pills?
Some people have reported doing things like sleepwalking, eating, and making phone calls while asleep after taking Zolpidem. They don’t remember anything until they wake up.
Taking zolpidem with alcohol or medicines like antidepressants or anxiolytics may be more likely to happen and increase the risk.
If this happens to someone else, they should stop taking zolpidem and see their doctor for advice.
How long will it take for zolpidem tartrate to kick in?
You’ll usually be given zolpidem for two to four weeks.
This is because your system adapts to this medication quickly. After taking it for several weeks, it’s unlikely that it will have the same effect. You may become addicted to it.
If you’re having trouble sleeping after finishing your course of zolpidem, try the lifestyle changes suggested below.
If these changes do not help, see the doctor again.
Can I become addicted to Zolpidem tartrate?
If you take it for a few days, you’re unlikely to develop an addiction to zolpidem.
However, you may depend on this medication if you take it for too long.
Ask a doctor or a pharmacist for advice about quitting zolpidem.
They can help you get off your medication gradually if you’ve been taking it for a while or if you’re concerned about becoming addicted to it.
Zolpidem is usually prescribed for short-term use (up to four weeks) because your body can become addicted to it.
Is it safe to take a long time?
See a doctor if you feel you need to take it for longer than four weeks. They will be able to discuss your sleep problems and recommend other things that may help.
If you have been taking zolpidem for less than four weeks, you’re unlikely to have any problems.
When I stop taking it, what will happen?
Don’t stop taking it suddenly if you’ve been taking zolpidem for longer than four weeks. You might experience some withdrawal symptoms.
You might get insomnia again, and it could be worse than before. You may also feel nervous, agitated, and have mood swings. You may feel very sensitive to light, sound, and being touched.
Speak to your doctor before coming off zolpidem. They may recommend gradually reducing the dose of zolpidem over several days or weeks. It will help prevent withdrawal symptoms when taking longer than four weeks.
Can I drive or ride a bike?
If zolpidem makes you sleepy, dizzy, or clumsy, gives you blurred vision, or you cannot concentrate or make decisions, do not drive a car, ride a bike or operate machinery.
This may be more likely when you first start taking zolpidem but could happen at any time – for example, when beginning another medicine.
It’s an offense to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It’s your responsibility to decide if it’s safe to go. If you’re in any doubt, do not drive.
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether it’s safe to drive while taking zolpidem.
Will it affect my fertility?
There’s no evidence to suggest that taking zolpidem will reduce fertility in either men or women.
But speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you and your partner are trying for a baby. Your doctor may review your treatment.
Will it affect my birth control?
Zolpidem doesn’t affect how birth control works, including the combination pill and emergency contraception.
Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
Do not have drinks that contain caffeine while you’re on zolpidem. These include coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, and hot chocolate.
Caffeine has the opposite effect of zolpidem on your body and stops it from working.
Can I drink alcohol while taking it?
Not at all. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re taking zolpidem.
Zolpidem (Ambien) and alcohol together can make you sleep deeply, so you don’t breathe properly and can have trouble waking up.
How long will it take for it to leave my system?
Zolpidem doesn’t stay in your system for longer than about 12 hours.
Some people feel sleepy the next day after waking up.
If this happens to someone else, they should not do anything that requires them to be fully alert, including driving, cycling, or operating tools or machinery.
Will recreational drugs affect it?
Using cannabis with zolpidem will make its sleep-inducing (sedative) effects worse. You could go into a profound sleep and have difficulty waking up.
Using heroin or methadone with zolpidem may also increase the sedative effects of both drugs. Again, you could go into a profound sleep and have difficulty waking up.
Talk to a doctor if you think you might use recreational drugs while taking zolpidem.
Lifestyle changes can help with insomnia.
There are several things you can do to improve sleep quality, including:
- Set regular times for sleeping and waking up
- Relax before going to sleep – take a warm bath or listen to calming music.
- Use thick curtains or blinds to block out light and noise. An eye mask and ear plugs will help you sleep better.
- Avoid caffeine, cigarettes (or electronic cigarettes), alcohol, heavy meals, and exercise for a few hours before bed.
- Do not watch TV or use smartphones, tablets, or computers just before going into bed.
- Do not sleep during the day.
- Write down your worries and any solutions you might have for them before going to sleep, so you don’t think about them again until the next day.
