Zolpidem

Zolpidem is a medication that can be used to treat insomnia and sleep problems. Zolpidem boosts the effectiveness of a chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by attaching to the receptor sites in the brain where GABA normally works. GABA is a chemical that calms nerve excitability in the brain. If the action of GABA in the brain is boosted, then sleep is improved.

When starting a new medication it is not unusual to experience side effects, some of the common side effects of zolpidem are:

• diarrhoea (loose poo)

• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)

• pain in your abdomen (gut)

• headache

• feeling tired, drowsy or sleepy in the day

• feeling agitated

• having nightmares

• poor memory and slowed thinking

• feeling dizzy

• having back pain

A study done with children and young people aged six to 17 years showed that the following side effects were most common in this age group:

• dizziness

• headache

• delusions or hallucinations (believing, seeing or hearing things that are not real)

These are only some of the most common side effects of zolpiclone, if you would like more information please talk to your doctor.

Please do not worry about these side effects. Some people will not get any side effects at all. If you think you are getting side effects from taking zolpidem, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you do get a side effect, please think about reporting it via the 'Yellow Card' system.

If you have taken more zolpidem than the dosage recommended by the doctor who prescribed it to you, you must get medial help immediately - even if you do not feel any different.