Zolpidem+melatonin
About
Zolpidem+melatonin is a combination medication containing 'sedative-hypnotics' used in the treatment of insomnia. Insomnia is a disorder of sleep that causes difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) in nature due to various complications like stress, anxiety, and breathing problems.
Zolpidem+melatonin contains Zolpidem and Melatonin, primarily used to treat insomnia. Zolpidem works by increasing the activity of GABA, which is a chemical messenger in the brain, acting as a natural nerve-calming agent, thereby inducing sleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps to maintain the normal sleep cycle (waking up and falling asleep). Thus, Zolpidem+melatonin relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, and helps to fall asleep.
Take Zolpidem+melatonin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Zolpidem+melatonin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending upon your medical condition. Preferably take Zolpidem+melatonin empty stomach and just before bedtime. In some cases, you may experience nausea, headache, diarrhoea, drowsiness, and dizziness. Most of these side effects of Zolpidem+melatonin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before starting Zolpidem+melatonin. Do not stop taking Zolpidem+melatonin even if you feel better, as it may lead to unpleasant side effects. Zolpidem+melatonin is known to cause drowsiness, so do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may reduce the effectiveness of Zolpidem+melatonin. Zolpidem+melatonin should not be used for daily naps.
Uses of Zolpidem+melatonin
Medicinal Benefits
Zolpidem+melatonin is a sleeping pill used to treat insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep). Zolpidem increases the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent) that is involved in inducing sleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps to maintain the normal sleep cycle (waking up and falling asleep). Thus, Zolpidem+melatonin relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, and helps to fall asleep. Appropriate lifestyle changes are recommended along with Zolpidem+melatonin to improve the quality of sleep.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Zolpidem+melatonin
- Nausea
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Zolpidem+melatonin if you are allergic to Zolpidem+melatonin or any of its ingredients. If you notice that the tablets are not working as well as they did in the beginning of the treatment, please consult a doctor as you might have developed tolerance to Zolpidem+melatonin, and dose adjustment may be required. Zolpidem+melatonin contains Zolpidem, a category C pregnancy drug, and is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause adverse effects in the baby after birth. If you are a breastfeeding mother, it is advised to consult a doctor before using Zolpidem+melatonin. If you have kidney, liver, or breathing problems, severe muscle weakness, sleep apnoea (a severe condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly in sleep), and if you have a history of depression or mental illness, please inform your doctor before taking Zolpidem+melatonin. Maintain a time gap of a minimum of 8 hours between taking Zolpidem+melatonin and driving to reduce the risk of increased adverse effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Zolpidem+melatonin may have interaction with high blood pressure-lowering medicines (metoprolol), opioid pain killers (hydrocodone), antidepressants (sertraline), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, rifampicin), antifungal drugs (ketoconazole), anti-anxiety drugs (alprazolam), antiallergics/antihistamines (diphenhydramine), muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine), antiepileptic drugs (gabapentin), stomach ulcer medicines (cimetidine), hypnotics (midazolam).
Drug-Food Interaction: Zolpidem+melatonin may interact with caffeine, St John’s wort (herbal medicine for treating depression) and may reduce the effectiveness of Zolpidem+melatonin. Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase the risk of dependence, psychomotor impairment (slowdown of thought process and reduced physical movements), sleepwalking, or sleep-driving.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Do not take Zolpidem+melatonin if you have severe liver disease, breathing problems, sleep apnoea (sudden stopping of breathing during sleep), severe muscle weakness, diabetes, kidney problems, or any history of depression or mental illness.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Zolpidem+melatonin as it may increase the risk of dependence, psychomotor impairment (slowdown of thought process, and reduced physical movements), sleepwalking, or sleep-driving.
Pregnancy
unsafeZolpidem+melatonin contains Zolpidem, a Category C pregnancy drug, and is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause adverse effects in the baby after birth.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Zolpidem+melatonin as it may be excreted in breast milk.
Driving
unsafeYou may experience dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, decreased alertness, blurred, or double vision, especially the day after taking Zolpidem+melatonin. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking Zolpidem+melatonin.
Liver
cautionTake Zolpidem+melatonin with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Zolpidem+melatonin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionZolpidem+melatonin is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular exercise during day time.
- Do not take a nap during day time. Set regular timings to go to bed and wake up.
- Relax at least 1 hour before bedtime by bathing with warm water, listening to music, or reading a book.
- Make the bedroom dark and quiet, and ensure that your pillows and mattresses are comfortable.
- Avoid watching tv, using mobiles or laptops just before bedtime.
- Limit caffeine intake, including tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cola, and energy drinks, as it may reduce the effectiveness of Zolpidem+melatonin.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase the risk of psychomotor impairment (slowdown of thought process and reduced physical movements), dependence, sleepwalking, or sleep-driving.
Special Advise
- You are advised to take Zolpidem+melatonin on an empty stomach as taking Zolpidem+melatonin with food may reduce the effect of Zolpidem+melatonin.
- If you are depressed or have depression in the past, please inform your doctor before taking Zolpidem+melatonin as it may increase self-harming or suicidal thoughts.
- If you notice any behavioural side effects such as delusions (false belief), nightmares, irritability, restlessness, aggressiveness, or hallucinations (hear, feel or see things that are actually not present), please contact your doctor.
- If you are allergic to any sugars, inform your doctor as Zolpidem+melatonin contains lactose.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Insomnia: It is a disorder of sleep associated with problems in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) in nature. Acute insomnia may last from one night to a few weeks and occurs due to stress or life changes. Chronic insomnia may last from more than 3 nights per week to more than 3 months. Insomnia is mostly caused due to depression, stress, anxiety, jet lag, shift work, uncomfortable beds, chronic illness, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol intake, or certain medicines. It may be treated using sleeping pills, behaviour therapy, sleep habits changes, and identifying and treating chronic conditions.
FAQs
Zolpidem+melatonin is a sleeping pill used to treat insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep). Zolpidem increases the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent) that is involved in inducing sleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps to maintain the normal sleep cycle (waking up and falling asleep)
No, Zolpidem+melatonin is not recommended for depression patients as it may worsen the condition and increase self-harming or suicidal thoughts. Therefore, if you are suffering from depression or have a history of depression, please inform your doctor before taking Zolpidem+melatonin.
You are recommended to take Zolpidem+melatonin just before bedtime as it helps to sleep quickly and improves sleep quality. If you forget to take Zolpidem+melatonin at night, do not take it in the day time as it may cause drowsiness, confusion and dizziness.
No, you are not recommended to take Zolpidem+melatonin with hydrocodone or other opioid pain killers such as oxycodone, naloxone, and tramadol as co-administration of these medicines with Zolpidem+melatonin may increase the risk of difficulty in breathing, drowsiness, coma, and even death. However, before using Zolpidem+melatonin with any other medicines, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted to use safely.
Yes, Zolpidem+melatonin may cause dependence (mental and physical effects caused due to compulsion of taking Zolpidem+melatonin) if used in high doses and for a prolonged time. This risk of dependency on Zolpidem+melatonin increases in patients who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
