Zolpidem: Efficacy and Side Effects for Insomnia

Abstract

Insomnia is linked to fatigue, distractibility, mood instability, decreased satisfaction, and overall decreased quality of life. Optimal therapy can aid patients in returning to baseline and increase their quality of life. Zolpidem is a helpful drug for the treatment of insomnia in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy. When prescribed to elderly patients, the dose should be adjusted to account for their slower drug metabolism. Still, zolpidem is considered a reasonable choice of therapy because it has a lower incidence of residual daytime sleepiness and risk of falls when compared to other drugs. The most concerning adverse effects, which are often the most publicized, include the complex behaviors that have been seen in patients taking Zolpidem, such as sleeping, hallucinations, increased suicidality, driving cars while asleep, and even a few cases of committing homicide. Even so, zolpidem could be a suitable pharmacological treatment for insomnia. Decisions for whether or not to prescribe it and the dosage should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering both the psychical and psychiatric risks posed to the patient with insomnia versus if the patient were to take zolpidem to treat their condition.

Comparing the Effects of Melatonin and Zolpidem on Mental Health and Sexual Function in Men With Opioid Addiction: Evidence From a Randomized Clinical Trial

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Effects of Intravascular Photobiomodulation on Insomnia, Muscle Soreness, and Biochemistry Profiles: An Eight-Year Follow-Up Study

“…However, medication use and choice is an important concept in medical care because drugs can have many possible adverse effects on multiple organ systems. Non-steroidal anti-in ammatory drugs, which are antipyretic, anti-in ammatory, and analgesic drugs, and the drugs commonly used for insomnia have been reported to cause many side effects (9,10). In addition, long-term administration of certain drugs, such as opioid analgesics, is associated with high rates of addictive-like behavior and poor recovery outcomes (11,12).…”

Sleep Medication in Older Adults: Identifying the Need for Support by a Community Pharmacist

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