Review articleZolpidem's use for insomnia

- Both, zolpidem immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) have considerable advantages when compared to the benzodiazepine derivatives.
- These advantages include their more favorable side-effect profiles for producing rebound insomnia, tolerance, dependence and abuse.

Zolpidem is a short-acting non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug that belongs to the imidazopyridine class. In addition to immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) formulations, the new delivery forms including two sublingual tablets [standard dose (SD) and low dose (LD)], and an oral spray form have been recently developed which bypass the gastrointestinal tract. So far, Zolpidem has been studied in several clinical populations: cases poor sleepers, transient insomnia, elderly and non-elderly patients with chronic primary insomnia, and in comorbid insomnia.Peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of zolpidem-IR occurs in 45 to 60 min, with the terminal elimination half-life (t½) equating to 2.4 h. The extended-release formulation results in a higher concentration over a period of more than 6 h. Peak plasma concentration is somewhat shorter for the sublingual forms and the oral spray, while their t½ is comparable to that of zolpidem-IR. Zolpidem-IR reduces sleep latency (SL) at recommended doses of 5 mg and 10 mg in elderly and non-elderly patients, respectively. Zolpidem-ER at doses of 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg, improves sleep maintenance in elderly and non-elderly patients, respectively, 4 h after its administration. Sublingual zolpidem-LD (5 mg) and zolpidem oral spray are indicated for middle-of-the-night (MOTN) wakefulness and difficulty returning to sleep, while sublingual zolpidem-SD (10 mg) is marketed for difficulty falling asleep.With their array of therapeutic uses and their popularity among physicians and patients; this review describes the clinical pharmacology, indications and uses, identifying withdrawal symptoms, abuse and dependence potentials, and adverse drug reactions are discussed.