Zolpidemdosage

Use the lowest dose effective for the patient and must not exceed a total of 12.5 mg daily Treatment should be as short as possible Recommended initial dose is a single dose of 6.25 mg for women, and a single dose of 6.25 or 12.5 mg for men, immediately before bedtime with at least 7 to 8 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening Geriatric patients and patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment: Recommended dose is 6.25 mg for men and women Lower doses of CNS depressants may be necessary when taken concomitantly with zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets Tablets to be swallowed whole, not to be crushed, divided or chewed The effect of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets may be slowed if taken with or immediately after a meal

2.1 Dosage in

Adults Use the lowest effective dose for the patient. The recommended initial dose is 6.25 mg for women and either 6.25 or 12.5 mg for men, taken only once per night immediately before bedtime with at least 7 to 8 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening. If the 6.25 mg dose is not effective, the dose can be increased to 12.5 mg. In some patients, the higher morning blood levels following use of the 12.5 mg dose increase the risk of next-day impairment of driving and other activities that require full alertness. The total dose of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets should not exceed 12.5 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. Zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets should be taken as a single dose and should not be readministered during the same night. The recommended initial doses for women and men are different because zolpidem clearance is lower in women. Treatment with zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablet should be as short as possible. Extended treatment should not take place without re-evaluation of the patient's status, since the risk of abuse and dependence increases with duration of treatment.

2.2 Special

Populations Elderly or debilitated patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of zolpidem tartrate. The recommended dose of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablet in these patients is 6.25 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. Patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment do not clear the drug as rapidly as normal subjects. The recommended dose of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets in these patients is 6.25 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. Avoid zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets use in patients with severe hepatic impairment as it may contribute to encephalopathy.

2.3 Use with CNS

Depressants Dosage adjustment may be necessary when zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets are combined with other CNS-depressant drugs because of the potentially additive effects.

2.4 Administration

Zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole, and not be divided, crushed, or chewed. The effect of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets may be slowed by ingestion with or immediately after a meal.