{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"zolpidem","kind":"medication","name":"zolpidem","aliases":["Stilnox","Ambien"],"brands_sg":["Stilnox CR"],"class":"non-benzodiazepine hypnotic","tags":["mental-health","other"],"use_for":"short-term treatment of severe insomnia (nhs, healthhub)","use_after":"just before bed · nhs: for 2 days to 4 weeks only","use_duration":null,"take_with":"water, tablet whole · healthhub: faster on an empty stomach","pros":["nhs: falls asleep faster, less waking in the night","us label: one single dose a night, not repeated","healthhub: intermittent use lowers the dependence risk"],"cons":["us label: boxed warning — complex sleep behaviours","nhs: the body gets used to it within a few weeks","healthhub: habit-forming; abrupt stop risks withdrawal"],"dose_note":"the us ambien label (sanofi, spl v26, eff. 15 apr 2025) states 'the total dose of AMBIEN should not exceed 10 mg once daily immediately before bedtime' — 10 mg is the label maximum. nhs describes a usual dose of one 10mg tablet, and 5mg for people 65 or over or with kidney or liver problems. the only zolpidem products on the hsa register are stilnox cr 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg modified-release tablets, whose strengths do not match that us immediate-release label. in singapore the doctor sets the dose.","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"prescription-only","cautions":["breathing problems or sleep apnoea (nhs, healthhub)","past mental health problems, alcohol or drug issues (nhs)","myasthenia gravis, liver or kidney problems (nhs, healthhub)","pregnancy — nhs: not usually recommended"],"clashes":[{"src":["hh_zolp_avoid","nhs_zolp_side"],"food":true,"note":"healthhub: excessive sleepiness · nhs: makes you more tired","with":"alcohol"},{"src":["nhs_zolp_inter"],"note":"nhs: added drowsy (sedating) effects — pharmacist or doctor first","with":"strong painkillers (codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine, tramadol)"},{"src":["nhs_zolp_inter"],"note":"nhs: added sedation","with":"drowsy antihistamines (chlorphenamine, promethazine)"},{"src":["nhs_zolp_inter"],"note":"nhs: named as medicines to check before starting zolpidem","with":"ciprofloxacin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir"},{"src":["nhs_zolp_inter"],"note":"nhs: added sedation; not enough information to call any of them safe","with":"sedating herbal remedies and supplements"}],"sources":[{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg open dataset, 5,511 rows, full CSV pulled once via the datastore_search API and filtered locally)","quote":"Forensicclassification = 'Prescription Only' for both zolpidem products on the register: SIN13402P STILNOX CR 6.25mg Modified Release Tablet and SIN13403P STILNOX CR 12.5mg Modified Release Tablet (Zolpidem tartrate, oral, multilayer tablets)","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_about","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/about-zolpidem/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: about zolpidem (page dateModified 30 Apr 2024)","quote":"Zolpidem is a sleeping pill that can be taken for short-term treatment of severe insomnia. It helps you fall asleep more quickly and makes you less likely to wake up during the night … only available on prescription.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_dose","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/how-and-when-to-take-zolpidem/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: dosage and strength","quote":"Zolpidem tablets come in 2 different strengths: 5mg and 10mg. The usual dose is one 10mg tablet, taken just before you go to bed … If you're 65 years old or over … a lower dose of 5mg.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_how","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/how-and-when-to-take-zolpidem/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: how and when to take it","quote":"Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water … You can take zolpidem with or without food … You'll usually be prescribed zolpidem for 2 days to 4 weeks … because your body gets used to this medicine quickly.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_side","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/side-effects-of-zolpidem/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: side effects","quote":"Stop taking zolpidem and call a doctor … if you: develop memory loss (amnesia) · see or hear things that are not real (hallucinations) … Do not drink any alcohol as it will make you feel more tired.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_who","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/who-can-and-cannot-take-zolpidem/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: who can and cannot take it","quote":"Zolpidem is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a doctor if you: have liver or kidney problems · have myasthenia gravis · have breathing problems or sleep apnoea","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_inter","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/taking-zolpidem-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: taking it with other medicines and herbal supplements","quote":"Certain medicines may increase the drowsy (sedating) effects of zolpidem … drowsy antihistamines such as chlorphenamine or promethazine … ciprofloxacin … ketoconazole or itraconazole … ritonavir … strong painkillers such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine or tramadol","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_zolp_preg","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-zolpidem/","label":"NHS Medicines A-Z — Zolpidem: pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility","quote":"Zolpidem is not usually recommended in pregnancy because little is known about its effect on the baby.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_zolpidem","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/zolpidem","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore / Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore) — Zolpidem medication information leaflet, last reviewed 1 March 2025","quote":"Zolpidem is used for short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping). It helps you fall asleep faster and sleep through the night … This medication works faster if you take it on an empty stomach.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_zolp_depend","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/zolpidem","label":"HealthHub — Zolpidem leaflet: dependence and withdrawal precautions","quote":"This medication may be habit-forming when taken excessively or for a prolonged duration (especially at high doses) … do not stop taking it abruptly as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as increased sweating, increased heart rate, tremors","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_zolp_avoid","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/zolpidem","label":"HealthHub — Zolpidem leaflet: food and medicines to avoid, complex sleep behaviours","quote":"Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Zolpidem as it can cause excessive sleepiness … Complex sleep behaviours (such as sleep walking, sleep driving and engaging in other activities while not fully awake) after taking Zolpidem","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"fda_ambien","url":"https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c36cadf4-65a4-4466-b409-c82020b42452","label":"FDA DailyMed — AMBIEN (zolpidem tartrate) tablets, sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, SPL v26, effective 15 Apr 2025: section 2.1 Dosage in Adults","quote":"The total dose of AMBIEN should not exceed 10 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. AMBIEN should be taken as a single dose and should not be readministered during the same night.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"fda_ambien_boxed","url":"https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c36cadf4-65a4-4466-b409-c82020b42452","label":"FDA DailyMed — AMBIEN prescribing information: boxed warning","quote":"WARNING: COMPLEX SLEEP BEHAVIORS — Complex sleep behaviors including sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake may occur following use of AMBIEN. Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death.","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:34.039038+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}