Altered Level of Consciousness with Zolpidem

Clinical Effects and Risks

• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that zolpidem causes sedation and somnolence as common adverse effects, with a 0.04 risk difference compared to placebo in meta-analyses 1, 2, 3
• Excessive sleepiness was demonstrated when zolpidem 10 mg was given less than 8 hours before awakening, with significantly reduced sleep latencies and cognitive impairment at 4-5 hours post-administration 1, 2
• Combining zolpidem with other substances can increase the risk of CNS depression, and patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience extreme confusion, inability to awaken, or difficulty breathing 4

Special Considerations

• Patients taking zolpidem should be warned about possible drowsiness, reduced alertness, and impaired performance the morning after therapy, and a full night of sleep (7-8 hours) is required to minimize the risk of next-day impairment 4