Zolpidem Tartrate	(zole-PI-dem TAR-trate)
Trade Name(s):	Ambien   ·Tablets 5 mg   ·Tablets 10 mg   Ambien CR   ·Tablets, ER 6.25 mg   ·Tablets, ER 12.5 mg   Edluar   ·Tablets, sublingual 5 mg   ·Tablets, sublingual 10 mg   Zolpimist   ·Spray, solution, lingual 5 mg/actuation Indicates Canadian Trade Name.
Class:	Imidazopyridine
Action:	Mechanism is unknown, but may involve subunit modulation of the GABA A receptor chloride channel macromolecular complex. Absorption:
	Immediate-release tablet Immediate-release tablet - Rapid absorption from the GI tract. T max is 1.6 h. C max (5 mg tablet) is about 29 to 113 ng/mL; C max (10 mg tablet) is about 58 to 272 ? ng/mL.
	ER tablet ER tablet - Mean C max and AUC are 134 ng/mL and 740 ng • h/mL, respectively, while median T max is 1.5 h.
	Oral spray Oral spray - Bioequivalent to oral tablets. Absorption is rapid from the oral mucosa and GI tract. C max following 5 and 10 mg spray is 114 and 210 ng/mL, respectively, with both occurring at a mean T max of 0.9 hours.
	Food Food - Reduces absorption of zolpidem. Administration with food decreased the mean AUC and C max 27% and 58%, respectively, while the mean T max was prolonged 225 h (from 0.8 to 2.6 h). For faster sleep onset, do not administer zolpidem products with or immediately after a meal.
	Distribution: Protein binding is about 92.5%.
	Metabolism: Converted to inactive metabolites.
	Excretion: Primarily excreted in the urine. The half-life is 2.6 h (5 mg tablet), 2.5 h (10 mg tablet), 2.8 h (ER tablet).
	Oral spray Oral spray - Mean half-life for the 5 and 10 mg spray is 2.8 and 3 hours, respectively.
	Special Populations: Renal Function Impairment - No dosage adjustment is necessary. Hepatic Function Impairment - C max and AUC were found to be 2 and 5 times higher, respectively, in hepatically compromised patients. Modify dosing accordingly in patients with hepatic function impairment. Elderly -
	Immediate-release tablet C max , half-life, and AUC were significantly increased when compared with results in younger adults.
	ER tablet Mean C max and mean AUC are 70.6 ng/mL and 413 ng • h/mL, respectively, while the median T max is 2 h.
Indications:
	ER tablet Treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.
	Immediate-release tablet, oral spray, and sublingual tablets Short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties in sleep initiation.
Indications:	Unlabeled use(s): Improvement in motor symptoms associated with Parkinson disease.
Contraindications:	Standard considerations.
Interactions:
	Azole antifungal agents (eg, itraconazole, voriconazole), sertraline Zolpidem plasma levels may be increased.
	CNS depressants (eg, alcohol) Possible additive or potentiation of CNS depressant effects.
	Flumazenil May reverse the sedative/hypnotic effects of zolpidem.
	Rifamycins (eg, rifampin) Zolpidem plasma levels may be reduced, decreasing the pharmacologic effects.
	Ritonavir Possible severe sedation and respiratory depression.
Lab Test Interferences:	None well documented.
Adverse Reactions:
	cardiovascular: Palpitation (2%); BP increased (1%).
	cns: Headache (19%); somnolence (15%); dizziness (12%); drowsiness (8%); hallucinations (4%); anxiety, disorientation, drugged feeling, fatigue, lethargy, memory disorders (3%); balance disorder, depression, disturbance in attention, hypoesthesia, light-headedness, psychomotor retardation (2%); asthenia, ataxia, confusion, euphoria, insomnia (more than 1%); abnormal dreams, amnesia, binge eating, depersonalization, disinhibition, mood swings, nervousness, paresthesia, sleep disorder, stress symptoms (1%).
	dermatologic: Rash (2%); skin wrinkling, urticaria (1%).
	eent: Visual disturbance (3%); eye redness, vision blurred (2%); abnormal vision, diplopia (more than 1%); altered depth perception, asthenopia, labyrinthitis, rhinitis, throat irritation, tinnitus (1%).
	gi: Nausea (7%); diarrhea, dry mouth (3%); abdominal pain, constipation (2%); dyspepsia, hiccup (more than 1%); abdominal discomfort/tenderness, anorexia, appetite disorder, frequent bowel movements, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, vomiting (1%).
	gu: UTI (2%); menorrhagia (1%).
	musculoskeletal: Myalgia (7%); arthralgia, back pain (4%).
	respiratory: Upper respiratory tract infection (5%); sinusitis (4%); pharyngitis (3%).
	miscellaneous: Allergy (4%); influenza (3%); influenza-like symptoms (2%); body temperature increase, chest discomfort, chest pain, contusion, infection, neck pain (1%).
Precautions:
	Pregnancy: Category C .
	Lactation: Excreted in breast milk.
	Children: Safety and efficacy not established.
	Elderly: Recommended immediate-release or oral spray dose is 5 mg, and recommended ER dose is 6.25 mg to decrease possibility of adverse reactions; closely monitor elderly or debilitated patients.
	Renal function impairment: Monitor patient closely.
	Hepatic function impairment: Initiate treatment with 5 mg immediate-release or oral spray, or 6.25 mg ER tablets, and closely monitor patient.
	Hazardous tasks: May impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills.
	Abrupt discontinuation Abrupt discontinuation associated with withdrawal symptoms similar to those associated with other CNS depressant drugs.
	Abuse/Dependence Use with caution in patients with history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, or suicidal tendencies.
	Anaphylactic/Anaphylactoid reactions Rare cases of angioedema involving the larynx, glottis, or tongue have been reported with the first or subsequent doses. Additional symptoms suggesting anaphylaxis have included dyspnea, nausea, throat closing, and vomiting.
	CNS effects A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes (eg, decreased inhibition, visual and auditory hallucinations) have been reported to occur in association with use of sedative/hypnotics. Worsening of insomnia or emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder, an adverse reaction of therapy, or spontaneous origin. Emergence of any new behavioral sign or symptom of concern requires careful and immediate evaluation.
	Comorbid diagnosis Failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated.
	Complex behavior Patients driving their car while not fully awake and with no memory of the event has been reported in patients taking sedative/hypnotics.
	Concomitant illness Use with caution in patients with conditions or diseases that could affect metabolism or hemodynamic responses.
	Depression Use with caution in patients exhibiting signs or symptoms of depression; may worsen depression.
	Duration of therapy Generally limit to 7 to 10 days; reevaluate patient if to be taken for more than 2 to 3 wk.
	Psychiatric/Physical disorder Before initiating symptomatic treatment, carefully evaluate patient for psychiatric and/or physical disorders that could cause sleep disturbance.
	Respiratory depression Use with caution in patients with compromised respiratory function.
	Suicide Suicidal tendencies may be present; take protective measures. Prescribe the smallest quantity feasible in order to reduce the risk of overdose.
Overdosage:	Signs & symptoms CV compromise, light coma, respiratory compromise, somnolence.
Patient/Family Education:	Advise patient to read patient information leaflet carefully before starting therapy and to reread and check for new information each time the medication is refilled. Review lifestyle changes that may improve sleep (eg, avoidance of caffeine and nicotine, quiet and dark environment, relaxation techniques, warm water bath). Advise patient to take prescribed dose immediately before going to bed. Advise patient taking ER or orally disintegrating zolpidem not to crush, chew, or break the tablet. Advise patient to take on an empty stomach but to take with food if stomach upset occurs. Instruct patient receiving orally disintegrating tablet to place tablet in the mouth, where it will dissolve in seconds and then be swallowed with saliva. Inform patient that the orally disintegrating tablet may be taken with or without water. Caution patient not to take zolpidem unless planning to get 7 to 8 h of sleep before being active again. Advise patient that taking zolpidem with less than 7 to 8 h of sleep may result in daytime drowsiness, amnesia, or memory problems. Review safety precautions with regard to falls, especially for elderly and debilitated patients. Caution patient that medication may be habit forming and to take as prescribed. Caution patient not to change the dose unless advised by health care provider. Advise patient that sleep may be disturbed for 1 or 2 nights following discontinuation of zolpidem therapy. Advise patient that if medication needs to be discontinued after 2 or more weeks of nightly use, it will be slowly withdrawn unless safety concerns (eg, rash) require a more rapid withdrawal. Instruct patient to avoid alcoholic beverages and other depressants while taking this medication. Instruct patient to contact health care provider if sleep problems do not appear to be getting better, are getting worse, or if bothersome adverse reactions (eg, changes in thinking or behavior, daytime drowsiness, dizziness, incoordination, memory problems) occur. Caution patient not to increase the dose if sleep problems do not appear to be improving. Advise patient that drug may have a carryover effect the next day and to use extreme care while driving or performing other tasks requiring mental alertness and coordination until tolerance is determined. Instruct patients to prime by pressing down on pump 5 times. Instruct patients to press down fully on the pump to deliver a full dose (ie, 5 mg). To deliver a 10 mg dose, instruct patient to administer a second spray. Instruct patients to spray directly into the mouth over the tongue. Instruct patients that if the oral spray is not used for at least 14 days, it must be primed again with 1 spray. Inform patients that the effect of the oral spray may be slowed by ingestion with or immediately after a meal.