Zolpidem
An imidazopyridine Z-drug used for short-term treatment of insomnia, mainly trouble falling asleep.
Drug card
- Class
- Z-drug
- How it works
- Boosting GABA-A receptors at the benzodiazepine site to bring on sleep
- Used for
- Insomnia with trouble falling asleep, short term
- Known for
- Complex sleep behaviors: sleepwalking, sleep-driving
- Next-day drowsiness and impaired driving
Study it as a flashcard, and it comes back before you forget it.
Mechanism of action
How does zolpidem work?
Zolpidem, an imidazopyridine, binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors with a preference for those containing the α1 subunit, increasing how often their chloride channels open. It is absorbed quickly and has a short half-life. The recommended starting dose is lower for women than for men.
Uses
What is zolpidem used for?
- Insomnia with trouble falling asleep, short term
Side effects
Side effects of zolpidem
- Complex sleep behaviors: sleepwalking, sleep-drivingKnown forSerious
- Next-day drowsiness and impaired drivingKnown for
- Dizziness and a drugged feeling
- Diarrhea
- Bitter or metallic taste
- Memory loss (amnesia)
- Hallucinations and abnormal behavior
- Worsening depression or suicidal thoughtsSerious
- DependenceSerious
- Withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly
- Falls, especially in people over 65Serious
- Anaphylaxis and angioedemaSerious
Known for marks what an exam expects you to know it for.
Watch for
Cautions and what sets it apart
- Contraindicated in anyone who has had a complex sleep behavior on it; stop it at once if one occurs.
- Next-morning impairment is more likely at higher doses and with alcohol or other sedatives; warn against driving.
- Avoid in severe liver impairment, and take care with depression or poor respiratory function.
Good to know: Because it binds mainly α1-containing GABA-A receptors, it has little muscle-relaxant effect; it is for sleep only, not anxiety or seizures.
Remember it
A way to remember it
Z is for zzz, but watch the sleepwalkers.
Z-drugs are used only to bring on sleep, and their boxed warning is for complex sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking and sleep-driving, which can cause serious injury.
Written for biofideX
Its class
Z-drugs
Z-drugs are not benzodiazepines chemically, yet they bind the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors and act as positive modulators, so chloride channels open more often and neurons are inhibited. Zolpidem prefers receptors containing the α1 subunit, which may explain why it has little muscle-relaxant effect. They are used only as short-term sleeping pills.
Easily mixed up with benzodiazepines.
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
For learning pharmacology, not for treatment decisions: no doses are given, and a prescriber, pharmacist or the product's own label is the word on any one patient. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
Depression, anxiety and sleep
Zolpidem is one of 15 drugs practiced together here: their classes, how they work, what they treat and what they're known for.
Start Practicing