Zolpidem - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Zolpidem (Ambient) is a GABA-A-receptor agonist. It is structurally unrelated to benzodiazepines, however it bind the same portion of the GABA-A receptor as they do, and enhances the inhibitory action of GABA on the CNS.

Zolpidem binds the same area of the GABA-A receptor as benzodiazepine medications (source)

Important properties of Zolpidem include:

Less potential for tolerance addiction compared to benzodiazepines.
No anticonvulsant properties in regular doses
No muscle relaxing affects

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Insomnia: this medication is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

To prevent seizures: this medication does not have anticonvulsant properties in regular doses.

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

Administered orally: tablets, extended released tablets, oral solution, dose spray pump, sublingually.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Next day morning impairment possible: ataxia, headaches, confusion.

Dissociative state disorders: sleep walking, binge eating, sleep driving

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

Effects reversed by Flumazenil: while this medication is not a benzodiazepine, given its binding site, this benzodiazepine antagonist will help reverse the activity of Zolpidem.

Rapid onset of action: this medication begins to work ~15 minutes after administration.

Short duration: this medication does not last too long in the body as it is quickly metabolized by liver P450 microsomal oxidases (half life ~3 hours).