What is Zolpidem Uses, Works, Side Effects, and More ?
What Is Zolpidem Used For

What Is Zolpidem Used For?

Zolpidem is a prescription medicine that treats insomnia. It helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep the whole night. Along with that, it also prevents you from waking up too early in the morning. As a result, this medicine helps in treating sleep disturbances. It reduces brain activity and promotes calmness in the brain. Thus, helps in getting better and quality sleep sleeping pills UK.

But this medicine is only for short-term treatment of insomnia. So, don’t use it for more than 4 weeks or the prescribed time. Because it tends to cause addiction or dependance if used for a long time. So, it is important to follow the precautions while taking this medication. Moreover, always consult the doctor before taking it. Discuss about the benefits, risks, and safety measures for taking this medicine. Because this will help you avoid the unnecessary side effects and risks.

Zolpidem is a sleep medication. Because its main function is to treat sleep disturbances. But it treats some other health conditions as well like anxiety and muscle pain. So, discuss with the doctor whether this medicine is for insomnia or any other issue. In this article, we will discuss different aspects of zolpidem. Because learning about zopiclone will help you use it properly and effectively.

How Does Zolpidem Work?

Zolpidem is a hypnotic agent, which means it can induce sleep. It is one of the z-drugs alongside zopiclone and is very effective in treating insomnia. It is a fast-acting medicine. As a result, it starts making you sleepy within 30-45 minutes of taking it. Moreover, it is a short-acting medicine. Although it helps you fall asleep faster, it will not keep you sleeping longer. Because its effects start fading off after 5-6 hours sleeping pills UK.

This medicine is unique and better than benzodiazepines for insomnia. Because it has very little side effects and less risks of addiction than benzodiazepines. That’s why, people prefer to take Zolpidem instead of benzodiazepines for insomnia.

It works by increasing the activity of GABA neurotransmitters. Because GABA has a “calming effect” on the brain which promotes relaxation. Moreover, it induces sedation and drowsiness and slows brain activity. As a result, it makes you fall asleep quickly.

Furthermore, it increases the duration of the N2 and N3 sleep stages. Due to this it reduces nighttime awakenings and improves sleep quality. Along with that, it reduces the time you take to fall asleep. Thus, it improves both quantity and quality of sleep.

Dosage of Zolpidem

Talking about the dosage then, it depends on several factors which include:

  • age and medical condition of the patient
  • severity of insomnia
  • form of medicine

Zolpidem is available in three forms- oral tablet, sublingual tablet, and oral spray. In general zolpidem oral tablets are of two strengths- 5mg and 10mg. At first, the doctor suggests taking a low dose and later adjusts it as required. 10mg/day is the standard dose of zolpidem for insomnia.

What Are Zolpidem Side Effects?

Although zolpidem has mild side effects if you take it under the doctor’s supervision. But it may show some serious side effects if misused or consumed carelessly. Let’s discuss some common and serious side effects of zolpidem here:

Common side effects Serious side effects
Dizziness and lightheadedness

Drowsiness and grogginess

Headache and muscle pain

Dry mouth

Heart palpitations

Allergic reactions like swelling on the tongue or face

Trouble breathing

New or worsening of existing symptoms of depression

Agitation and hallucinations

Doing activities while sleeping and having no memory of them i.e. memory problems

 

Mild side effects will fade within a few days or a couple of weeks. And, they don’t need medical care. But severe side effects need medical attention. So, if you experience any of the serious side effects, speak to your doctor right away.

Zolpidem Vs Zopiclone: Which One Is Better?  

Zolpidem vs zopiclone are sleep medications. They are non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics and treat insomnia. As both medicines belong to the same class, they have many similarities. Along with the similarities, both have some differences as well. To understand which one is better, zolpidem or zopiclone, we will do a comparison of their features.

Features Zolpidem Zopiclone
Class of medicine Non-benzodiazepine Non-benzodiazepine
Type of medicine Prescription based Prescription based
Type of action Fast-acting and short-acting Takes more time to show effects than zolpidem
Brand name Ambien Zimovane
Type of action Reduces the time you take to fall asleep Good at keeping you asleep for a longer duration
Half-life 2-3 hours, it means you feel less tired and drowsy the next day 5 hours, you will feel drowsier and more exhausted the next day
Dosage 5mg, 10mg – standard dose is 10mg 3.75mg, 7.5mg, 10mg – standard dose is 7.5mg

 

Both medicines work great for insomnia. People having issues falling asleep should use Zolpidem. But people facing issues in staying asleep throughout the night should use zopiclone. So, it depends on a person’s issue and which medicine he should use. But most people prefer taking zolpidem as it shows quick effects.

Is Zolpidem Safe for Long-Term Use?

No zolpidem is not safe for long-term use. Because long-term use of this medicine comes with risks of addiction and dependance. Along with that, you may also develop tolerance to it, if you use it for a long time. As a result, you will not get the desired benefits with the usual dose. And, you will need a higher dose to get the original effects. Taking higher doses may lead to overdose and cause serious health complications. Moreover, if you have consumed this medicine for a long time and stop using it all sudden. It may show severe withdrawal symptoms which can be life-threatening as well.

Long-term side effects and withdrawal symptoms of zolpidem include several physical and psychological symptoms:

  • insomnia
  • sudden mood changes
  • anxiety and depression
  • aggression and suicidal thoughts
  • hallucinations
  • memory problems and confusion
  • seizures and tremors
  • abdominal cramps

So, don’t use this medicine for more than 6 weeks. And, if you need to use it for a longer duration, discuss the side effects and safety measures with the doctor.

Conclusion

Zolpidem is one of the best sleeping pills UK. Because it takes a little time to make you sleep. So, if you face difficulties in falling asleep, buy zolpidem next-day delivery for better sleep. But remember, it may form a habit or cause dependance. So, take it only for a short term. Although zolpidem is a strong medicine and may show side effects. But you can avoid those side effects if you follow the doctor’s instructions. Furthermore, zopiclone is also a very good sleep medication and works great for insomnia. It prevents you from waking up again and again at night. So, people who wake up several times at night can take this medicine. Out of zolpidem and zopiclone, zolpidem is a stronger medicine.

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