This medicine is used to treat insomnia (sleep problems) for short periods of time.

Proper Use

Take this medicine exactly as directed. Do not take more, and do not take it for a longer time, than directed by your doctor. Taking too much may be habit-forming. Take this medicine just before going to bed because it acts very quickly to produce sleep.

Taking this medicine with food or directly after a meal will delay its effects. For faster action, do not take this medicine with food.

Please Note

Since this medicine may continue to make you drowsy even on the day following a dose, do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants (antihistamines, tranquilizers, and sedatives) while taking this medicine. Ask your doctor about these.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Also, do not breast-feed an infant while you are taking this medicine.

Elderly people may be more sensitive to this medicine and should not take more than the amount prescribed by the doctor.

Possible Side Effects

Serious (report these to your doctor): Daytime drowsiness, loss of memory, dizziness, drugged feeling.

Other: Muscle pain, fatigue, depression, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, vomiting.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Possible Drug Interactions

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it may increase or decrease the effects of the medicines. Or the combination may cause harmful side effects. Some medicines that may interact with this medicine are:

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), loratadine (Claritin), and cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), flurazepam (Dalmane), and alprazolam (Xanax)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and doxepin (Sinequan).

The effects of alcohol may be increased by this medicine.

Be sure that you tell all doctors who treat you about all medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products.

This educational document includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Other Names For This Medication:

zolpidem tartrate, oral; Ambien (zolpidem tartrate, oral)