Zolpidem Tartrate – Uses, Side Effects, and More
The people who are often found facing sleeping problems are given sleeping pills so that they can get not only proper sleep but also acquire a good physical as well as mental health. Usually people do not take the disturbed sleep patterns seriously until it changes to a complete disorder. There might be numerous reasons behind the sleep disorders but these days one of the biggest causes is depression or anxiety.
Common sleep problems in adults include:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up earlier than usual
Used in the treatment of sleep disorders, insomnia, and narcolepsy, zolpidem tartrate is the most popular of the zolpidem-derivatives. Zolpidem includes tartrate salts, or salts consisting of tartaric acid and its derivatives, of the drug zolpidem, which is itself known for its sleep-inducing properties.
Know about Zolpidem and its significance
The name of this medicine is Zolpidem 5 mg or 10 mg Tablets, this medicine contains a substance called zolpidem tartrate. This belongs to a class of medicines called hypnotics. These types of medicines work by acting on your brain to help you sleep. Zolpidem is mainly used for temporary sleep problems in adults that are causing them severe distress, or are affecting their daily life.
Your doctor will identify your sleep problems and will prescribe you this medicine. If the medicine does not affect your sleep problem after a 7-14 day course of the treatment, it could indicate you’ve got an underlying disorder, and your doctor will check you up at regular intervals.
Zolpidem is also used for temporary treatment of insomnia, it is advised to not use this medicine for a long term use. The treatment should be completed as quickly as possible, due to the fact the risks of dependence will increase with the length of treatment. It is highly recommended to consult a doctor before using this medicine to avoid any health issues.
Things You Need To Know Before Taking Zolpidem
Do not take Zolpidem:
If you are allergic or sensitive to zolpidem tartrate or any of the other ingredients included in the medicine, then you may suffer from:
- A problem where you stop breathing for a short period at night which is called apnea.
- A problem that causes extreme muscle weakness which is called myasthenia gravis.
- Breathing difficulties at night which are known as hyperventilate.
- Liver problems
- If you are under the age of 18
Do not use this medicine if any of the mentioned conditions applies to you. If you are unsure, contact your doctor and clear all your queries before taking Zolpidem.
Precautions:
Discuss your health with your doctor before taking Zolpidem if:
- You have a history of alcohol or drug addiction
- If you have lung issues
- Any liver issues
- Experienced any mental issues in the past
- You have used Zolpidem or any other similar medicine for more than 4 weeks.
The risks of dependence are greater if Zolpidem is used for longer than 4 weeks, and in patients with a history of mental issues or alcohol or drug abuse. It is important to tell your doctor if you ever had mental issues, or addiction towards alcohol or drugs.
Zolpidem can cause drowsiness and decrease your level of alertness and attention, this could cause you to fall while walking or working. If you are unsure if any of the mentioned conditions applies to you, talk to your pharmacist before taking Zolpidem.
How To Use Zolpidem?
Different doses are recommended for men and women but this medicine is not prescribed for children. Take Zolpidem as per your prescription, follow all the directions on your prescription label and read all the medication guidelines to avoid any further health problems.
Do not use it for longer than prescribed time as it may cause harmful effects on your health. Tell your doctor if you feel the need for an increased dose.
This medicine may lead to addiction, therefore its use for longer than prescribed time is not advised. Moreover, reselling this or any other medicine is against the law.
Zolpidem is for short-term use only, inform your doctor if your insomnia symptoms do not improve or change, or if they get worse after using this medicine for 7-10 nights in a row.
The medicine should be stored at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Do not freeze it either, keep it away from the reach of anybody, especially children.
Do not stop taking Zolpidem Tartrate suddenly after a long-term use as it may cause serious adverse effects. However, if you want then ask your doctor how to safely discontinue using this medicine.
The symptoms of insomnia may restore after you stop using Zolpidem and can be worse than before. Therefore, contact your doctor if you experience worsening insomnia after the first few nights without taking the medicine.
Dosage Information:
Normal dosage recommended to adults for Insomnia is:
The beginning dose recommended for women is 5 mg once a day immediately before going to bed. The dosage recommended for men is 5 to 10 mg orally once a day immediately before going to bed. The maximum dosage of this medicine is 10 mg once a day.
Intermediate doses recommended for women is 6.25 mg once a day just before going to sleep, men are recommended with 6.25 to 12.5 mg once a day just before bed time.
Maximum dose for intermediate users is 12.5 mg once a day.
What Happens If You Overdose?
Seek emergency attention as quickly as possible if you overdose this medicine. An overdose of Zolpidem can be deadly, especially if it’s taken with other medicine that can cause drowsiness.
Symptoms of overdose can include:
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Shallow breathing
- Feeling light-headed
- Fainting
Avoid taking Zolpidem while travelling, such as to sleep on an airplane. You may wake up before the effects of the medicine stop, amnesia (forgetfulness) is more common if you do not get a good sleep of 7-8 hours after taking this medicine.
Avoid driving or dangerous activities until you know how Zolpidem will affect your body. You may feel sleepy even after waking up, and your reactions could be impaired.
Before driving, operating machinery, or anything that requires full attention, wait until you are fully awake and alert.
Do not take this medicine if you have consumed alcohol during the day or before your bedtime.
Side Effects:
Like all other medicines, Zolpidem also has some side effects for instance, it may cause an extreme allergic reaction. Stop using this medicine and get immediate medical attention if you experience any allergic reactions after using Zolpidem such as:
- Swelling on face, lips, throat, or tongue
- Hives
Report any new or worsening effects to your doctor, such as:
- Depression
- Aggression
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Unusual thoughts
- Hallucination
- Memory issues
- Changes in personality
- Decreased inhibitions
Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor if your experience:
- Chest pain
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble swallowing or breathing.
The side effects of Zolpidem may be stronger in older adults. Common side effects of Zolpidem include:
- Feeling tired
- Stuffy nose
- Dry mouth
- Nose or throat irritation
- Nausea
- Upset stomach.
If any of the condition or effects worsens then it is better to consult a physician rather than waiting for the symptoms to disappear on their own. So if you want to overcome your sleep problems and maintain a good lifestyle, buy Zolpidem Tartrate to relax your nerves and keep away from other physical or mental disorders.