Zolpidem is used to for short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.

What is this medication for?

Zolpidem is used for short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping). It helps you fall asleep faster and sleep through the night.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Follow the instructions on your medication label and take this medication as prescribed by your doctor. 
• This medication works faster if you take it on an empty stomach.
• This medication should be taken just before going to bed when you are ready to sleep. 
• You should obtain this medication from the same doctor or clinic whenever possible.
• The controlled-release (CR) tablet must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew it.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

• If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing. This medication is usually taken on an as needed basis to help you sleep. 
• For example, for a medication to be taken at 10pm and you missed your dose, take it before the next time you are going to sleep if needed. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any other ingredients in this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
• You are taking any other medications (including those that can be bought without a prescription), supplements,  traditional medications and herbal remedies. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
• You have or have ever had:
  • Other drug allergies or lactose intolerance conditions (congenital galactosaemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome or lactase deficiency)
  • Other mental health conditions such as depression (low mood)
  • Medical conditions such as:
    • Lung or liver disease 
    • A genetic heart condition known as long QT syndrome
    • Seizures (fits)
    • Drug or alcohol abuse
    • Myasthenia Gravis (an autoimmune condition that affects the nerves and muscles) or 
    • Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)
    • Complex sleep behaviours (such as sleep walking, sleep driving and engaging in other activities while not fully awake) after taking Zolpidem

This medication may be habit-forming when taken excessively or for a prolonged duration (especially at high doses). This may result in:

• Unintentional, regular use of the medication
• Dependence or over-reliance on the medication
• Decreased effectiveness of the medication

      This can be prevented by taking the medication:

• On a short-term basis (2 - 4 weeks)
• At the lowest effective dose
• Intermittently (for example, taking it once every 2 or 3 nights for relieving sleep difficulty)

If you have been taking the medication on a long-term basis or at high doses, do not stop taking it abruptly as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as increased sweating, increased heart rate, tremors, trouble sleeping, increased agitation, hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that do not exist), increased anxiety, nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases, medical emergencies such as fits.

If you wish to cut down, discuss with your doctor to come up with a plan to help you on this. It is often best to reduce the dose gradually over a few weeks.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Nausea, vomiting or stomach discomfort 
  • Take the medication with or after food
  • Take small but frequent meals, and avoid fatty or spicy food
• Dizziness 
  • Get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position
• Drowsiness or feeling tired
  • Avoid driving or taking part in activities that require concentration
  • Discuss with your doctor if you can take your medication at a different time of the day
• Feeling clumsy or unsteady
• Headache

Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak with your doctor if any of them continues, worsens or affects your daily life.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Rarely this medication may cause:

• Memory loss (amnesia)
• Changes in mood or behaviour
• Hearing or seeing things that do not exist (hallucinations)
• Unusual excitement, irritability, agitation or over-talkativeness (disinhibition)
• Unusual sleep-related activities such as walking, eating or cooking
• Confusion
• Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting or falling

If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop your medication and inform your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Zolpidem as it can cause excessive sleepiness.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Feb 2025