Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray)

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Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray)
Adult Indications & Dosage
Pediatric Indications & Dosage
Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Use in Specific Populations
Administration & Monitoring
Overdosage
Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
How Supplied
Images
Patient Counseling Information
Precautions with Alcohol
Brand Names
Look-Alike Names

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Turky Alkathery, M.D. [2]

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Overview

Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A agonist that is FDA approved for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. Common adverse reactions include drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, and drugged feelings.

Adult Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

Indications

  • Zolpidem is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. Zolpidem tartrate has been shown to decrease sleep latency for up to 35 days in controlled clinical studies.
  • The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were 4-5 weeks in duration with the final formal assessments of sleep latency performed at the end of treatment.

Dosage

Dosage in Adults

  • Use the lowest effective dose for the patient. The recommended initial dose is 5 mg for women and either 5 or 10 mg for men, taken only once per night immediately before bedtime with at least 7-8 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening. If the 5 mg dose is not effective, the dose can be increased to 10 mg. In some patients, the higher morning blood levels following use of the 10 mg dose increase the risk of next day impairment of driving and other activities that require full alertness. The total dose of zolpidem should not exceed 10 mg once daily immediately before bedtime.
  • The recommended initial doses for women and men are different because zolpidem clearance is lower in women.

Special Populations

  • Elderly or debilitated patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of zolpidem tartrate. Patients with hepatic insufficiency do not clear the drug as rapidly as normal subjects. The recommended dose of zolpidemin both of these patient populations is 5 mg once daily immediately before bedtime.

Use with CNS Depressants

  • Dosage adjustment may be necessary when zolpidemis combined with other CNS-depressant drugs because of the potentially additive effects.

Administration

  • Zolpidem is packaged in a child-resistant container. For detailed instructions on how to use zolpidem, refer to the Patient Instructions for Use (following the Medication Guide). zolpidem must be primed before it is used for the first time. To prime, patients should be told to point the black spray opening away from their face and other people and spray 5 times. For administration, the child-resistant container should be held upright with the black spray opening pointed directly into the mouth. The patient should fully press down on the pump to make sure a full dose (5 mg) of zolpidem is sprayed directly into the mouth over the tongue. If a 10 mg dose is prescribed, a second spray should be administered.
  • If the patient does not use zolpidem for at least 14 days, it must be primed again with 1 spray. The patient should be referred to the Patient Instructions for Use included at the end of the Medication Guide.
  • The effect of zolpidem may be slowed by ingestion with or immediately after a meal.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in adult patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in adult patients.

Pediatric Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)

  • Zolpidem is not recommended for use in children. Safety and effectiveness of zolpidem in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established.
  • In an 8-week controlled study of pediatric patients (6-17 years of age) with insomnia associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) an oral solution of zolpidem tartrate dosed at 0.25 mg/kg at bedtime did not decrease sleep latency compared to placebo. Psychiatric and nervous system disorders comprised the most frequent (>5%) treatment emergent adverse reactions observed with zolpidem versus placebo and included dizziness (23.5% vs. 1.5%), headache (12.5% vs. 9.2%), and hallucinations were reported in 7% of the pediatric patients who received zolpidem; none of the pediatric patients who received placebo reported hallucinations. Ten patients on zolpidem (7.4%) discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

Guideline-Supported Use

  • There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in pediatric patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

  • There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in pediatric patients.

Contraindications

Warnings

CNS Depressant Effects and Next-day Impairment

  • Zolpidem, like other sedative-hypnotic drugs, has central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. Co-administration with other CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol) increases the risk of CNS depression. Dosage adjustments of zolpidem and of other concomitant CNS depressants may be necessary when zolpidem is administered with such agents because of the potentially additive effects. The use of zolpidem with other sedative-hypnotics (including other zolpidem products) at bedtime or the middle of the night is not recommended.
  • The risk of next-day psychomotor impairment, including impaired driving, is increased if zolpidem is taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining (7 to 8 hours); if a higher than the recommended dose is taken; if co-administered with other CNS depressants; or if co-administered with other drugs that increase the blood levels of zolpidem. Patients should be cautioned against driving and other activities requiring complete mental alertness if zolpidem is taken in these circumstances.

Need to Evaluate for Co-morbid Diagnoses

  • Because sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder, symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after a careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated. Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new thinking or behavioral abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder. Such findings have emerged during the course of treatment with sedative-hypnotic drugs, including zolpidem.

Severe Anaphylactic and Anaphylactoid Reactions

  • Cases of angioedema involving the tongue, glottis, or larynx have been reported in patients after taking the first or subsequent doses of sedative-hypnotics, including zolpidem. Some patients have had additional symptoms such as dyspnea, throat closing, or nausea and vomiting that suggest anaphylaxis. Some patients have required medical therapy in the emergency department. If angioedema involves the throat, glottis, or larynx, airway obstruction may occur and be fatal. Patients who develop angioedema after treatment with zolpidem should not be rechallenged with the drug.

Abnormal Thinking and Behavioral Changes

  • Abnormal thinking and behavioral changes have been reported in patients treated with sedative-hypnotics, including zolpidem tartrate. Some of these changes included decreased inhibition (e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seemed out of character), bizarre behavior, agitation, and depersonalization. Visual and auditory hallucinations have been reported.
  • In controlled trials of zolpidem tartrate 10 mg taken at bedtime, <1% of adults with insomnia reported hallucinations. In a clinical trial, 7% of pediatric patients treated with zolpidem tartrate 0.25 mg/kg taken at bedtime reported hallucinations, versus 0% treated with placebo.
  • Complex behaviors such as “sleep-driving” (i.e., driving while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic, with amnesia for the event) have been reported in sedative-hypnotic-naive as well as in sedative-hypnotic-experienced persons. Although behaviors such as “sleep-driving” have occurred with zolpidem tartrate alone at therapeutic doses, the co-administration of zolpidem tartrate with alcohol and other CNS depressants increases the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of zolpidem tartrate at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose. Due to the risk to the patient and the community, discontinuation of zolpidem should be strongly considered for patients who report a “sleep-driving” episode.
  • Other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex) have been reported in patients who are not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic. As with “sleep-driving”, patients usually do not remember these events. Amnesia, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms may also occur.
  • It can rarely be determined with certainty whether a particular instance of the abnormal behaviors listed above is drug induced, spontaneous in origin, or a result of an underlying psychiatric or physical disorder. Nonetheless, the emergence of any new behavioral sign or symptom of concern requires careful and immediate evaluation.

Use in Patients with Depression

  • In primarily depressed patients treated with sedative-hypnotics, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts and actions (including completed suicides), have been reported. Suicidal tendencies may be present in such patients and protective measures may be required. Intentional overdosage is more common in this group of patients; therefore, the least amount of drug that is feasible should be prescribed for the patient at any one time.

Respiratory Depression

  • Although studies with 10 mg zolpidem tartrate did not reveal respiratory depressant effects at hypnotic doses in healthy subjects or in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a reduction in the Total Arousal Index, together with a reduction in lowest oxygen saturation and increase in the times of oxygen desaturation below 80% and 90%, was observed in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea when treated with zolpidem compared to placebo. Since sedative-hypnotics have the capacity to depress respiratory drive, precautions should be taken if zolpidem is prescribed to patients with compromised respiratory function. Postmarketing reports of respiratory insufficiency in patients receiving 10 mg of zolpidem tartrate, most of whom had pre-existing respiratory impairment, have been reported. The risks of respiratory depression should be considered prior to prescribing zolpidem in patients with respiratory impairment including sleep apnea and myasthenia gravis.

Withdrawal Effects

  • There have been reports of withdrawal signs and symptoms following the rapid dose decrease or abrupt discontinuation of zolpidem. Monitor patients for tolerance, abuse, and dependence.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical Trials Experience

  • Associated with discontinuation of treatment: Approximately 4% of 1,701 patients who received zolpidem tartrate at all doses (1.25 to 90 mg) in U.S. premarketing clinical trials discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. Reactions most commonly associated with discontinuation from U.S. trials were daytime drowsiness (0.5%), dizziness (0.4%), headache (0.5%), nausea (0.6%), and vomiting (0.5%).
  • Approximately 4% of 1,959 patients who received zolpidem at all doses (1 to 50 mg) in similar foreign trials discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. Reactions most commonly associated with discontinuation from these trials were daytime drowsiness (1.1%), dizziness/vertigo (0.8%), amnesia (0.5%), nausea (0.5%), headache (0.4%), and falls (0.4%).
  • Data from a clinical study in which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-treated patients were given zolpidem revealed that four of the seven discontinuations during double-blind treatment with zolpidem (n=95) were associated with impaired concentration, continuing or aggravated depression, and manic reaction; one patient treated with placebo (n=97) was discontinued after an attempted suicide.
  • Most commonly observed adverse reactions in controlled trials: During short-term treatment (up to 10 nights) with zolpidem tartrate at doses up to 10 mg, the most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of zolpidem and seen at statistically significant differences from placebo-treated patients were drowsiness (reported by 2% of zolpidem patients), dizziness (1%), and diarrhea (1%). During longer-term treatment (28 to 35 nights) with zolpidem tartrate at doses up to 10 mg, the most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of zolpidem and seen at statistically significant differences from placebo-treated patients were dizziness (5%) and drugged feelings (3%).
  • Adverse reactions observed at an incidence of ≥1% in controlled trials: The following tables enumerate treatment-emergent adverse reactions frequencies that were observed at an incidence equal to 1% or greater among patients with insomnia who received zolpidem tartrate and at a greater incidence than placebo in U.S. placebo-controlled trials. Events reported by investigators were classified utilizing a modified World Health Organization (WHO) dictionary of preferred terms for the purpose of establishing event frequencies. The prescriber should be aware that these figures cannot be used to predict the incidence of side effects in the course of usual medical practice, in which patient characteristics and other factors differ from those that prevailed in these clinical trials. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigators involving related drug products and uses, since each group of drug trials is conducted under a different set of conditions. However, the cited figures provide the physician with a basis for estimating the relative contribution of drug and nondrug factors to the incidence of side effects in the population studied.
  • The following table was derived from results of 11 placebo-controlled short-term U.S. efficacy trials involving zolpidem in doses ranging from 1.25 to 20 mg. The table is limited to data from doses up to and including 10 mg, the highest dose recommended for use.
This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.
  • The following table was derived from results of three placebo-controlled long-term efficacy trials involving zolpidem tartrate. These trials involved patients with chronic insomnia who were treated for 28 to 35 nights with zolpidem tartrate at doses of 5, 10, or 15 mg. The table is limited to data from doses up to and including 10 mg, the highest dose recommended for use. The table includes only adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of at least 1% for zolpidem tartrate patients.
This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.
  • Dose relationship for adverse reactions: There is evidence from dose comparison trials suggesting a dose relationship for many of the adverse reactions associated with zolpidem tartrate use, particularly for certain CNS and gastrointestinal adverse reactions.
  • Oral tissue-related adverse reactions in zolpidem pharmacokinetics studies: The effect of chronic daily administrations of zolpidem on oral tissue has not been evaluated. In pharmacokinetic studies conducted with zolpidem in healthy subjects, an oral soft tissue exam was performed and no signs of oral irritation were noted following administration of single doses of zolpidem.
  • Adverse event incidence across the entire preapproval database: Zolpidem tartrate was administered to 3,660 subjects in clinical trials throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Treatment-emergent adverse event associated with clinical trial participation were recorded by clinical investigators using terminology of their own choosing. To provide a meaningful estimate of the proportion of individuals experiencing treatment-emergent adverse events, similar types of untoward events were grouped into a smaller number of standardized event categories and classified utilizing a modified WHO dictionary of preferred terms.
  • The frequencies presented, therefore, represent the proportions of the 3,660 individuals exposed to zolpidem tartrate, at all doses, who experienced an event of the type cited on at least one occasion while receiving zolpidem tartrate. All reported treatment-emergent adverse events are included, except those already listed in the table above of adverse events in placebo-controlled studies, those coding terms that are so general as to be uninformative, and those events where a drug cause was remote. It is important to emphasize that, although the events reported did occur during treatment with zolpidem tartrate, they were not necessarily caused by it.
  • Adverse events are further classified within body system categories and enumerated in order of decreasing frequency using the following definitions: frequent adverse events are defined as those occurring in greater than 1/100 subjects; infrequent adverse events are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1,000 patients; rare events are those occurring in less than 1/1,000 patients.
  • Body as a whole: Frequent: asthenia. Infrequent: edema, falling, fatigue, fever, malaise, trauma. Rare: allergic reaction, allergy aggravated, anaphylactic shock, face edema, hot flashes, increased ESR, pain, restless legs, rigors, tolerance increased, weight decrease.
  • Liver and biliary system: Infrequent: abnormal hepatic function, increased SGPT. Rare: bilirubinemia, increased SGOT.

Postmarketing Experience

There is limited information regarding postmarketing experience.

Drug Interactions

CNS-active Drugs

  • Co-administration of zolpidem with other CNS depressants increases the risk of CNS depression. Zolpidem tartrate was evaluated in healthy volunteers in single-dose interaction studies for several CNS drugs.
  • Imipramine and chlorpromazine: Imipramine in combination with zolpidem produced no pharmacokinetic interaction other than a 20% decrease in peak levels of imipramine, but there was an additive effect of decreased alertness. Similarly, chlorpromazine in combination with zolpidem produced no pharmacokinetic interaction, but there was an additive effect of decreased alertness and psychomotor performance.
  • Haloperidol: A study involving haloperidol and zolpidem revealed no effect of haloperidol on the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of zolpidem. The lack of a drug interaction following single-dose administration does not predict the absence of an effect following chronic administration.
  • Alcohol: An additive adverse effect on psychomotor performance between alcohol and oral zolpidem was demonstrated.
  • Sertraline: Concomitant administration of zolpidem and sertraline increases exposure to zolpidem.
  • Fluoxetine: After multiple doses of zolpidem tartrate and fluoxetine an increase in the zolpidem half-life (t1/2, 17%) was observed. There was no evidence of an additive effect in psychomotor performance.

Drugs that Affect Drug Metabolism via Cytochrome P450

  • Some compounds known to inhibit CYP3A may increase exposure to zolpidem. The effect of drugs on other P450 enzymes on the exposure to zolpidem is not known.
  • Rifampin: Rifampin, a CYP3A4 inducer, significantly reduced the exposure to and the pharmacodynamic effects of zolpidem. Use of Rifampin in combination with zolpidem may decrease the efficacy of zolpidem.
  • Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, increased the pharmacodynamic effects of zolpidem. Consideration should be given to using a lower dose of zolpidem when ketoconazole and zolpidem are given together.

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category (FDA): C

  • There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of zolpidem in pregnant women.
  • Studies in children to assess the effects of prenatal exposure to zolpidem have not been conducted; however, cases of severe neonatal respiratory depression have been reported when zolpidem was used at the end of pregnancy, especially when taken with other CNS depressants. Children born to mothers taking sedative-hypnotic drugs may be at risk for withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period. Neonatal flaccidity has also been reported in infants born to mothers who received sedative-hypnotic drugs during pregnancy. zolpidem should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
  • Administration of zolpidem to pregnant rats and rabbits resulted in adverse effects on offspring development at doses greater than the zolpidem tartrate maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg/day (approximately 8 mg/day zolpidem base); however, teratogenicity was not observed.
  • When zolpidem was administered at oral doses of 4, 20, and 100 mg base/kg/day to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis, dose-related decreases in fetal skull ossification occurred at all but the lowest dose, which is approximately 5 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. In rabbits treated during organogenesis with zolpidem at oral doses of 1, 4, and 16 mg base/kg/day, increased embryo-fetal death and incomplete fetal skeletal ossification occurred at the highest dose tested. The no-effect dose for embryo-fetal toxicity in rabbits is approximately 10 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. Administration of zolpidem to rats at oral doses of 4, 20, and 100 mg base/kg/day during the latter part of pregnancy and throughout lactation produced decreased offspring growth and survival at all but the lowest dose, which is approximately 5 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis.


Pregnancy Category (AUS): There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in women who are pregnant.

Labor and Delivery

  • Zolpidem has no established use in labor and delivery.

Nursing Mothers

  • Zolpidem is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when zolpidem is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

  • Zolpidem is not recommended for use in children. Safety and effectiveness of zolpidem in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established.
  • In an 8-week controlled study of pediatric patients (6-17 years of age) with insomnia associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) an oral solution of zolpidem tartrate dosed at 0.25 mg/kg at bedtime did not decrease sleep latency compared to placebo. Psychiatric and nervous system disorders comprised the most frequent (>5%) treatment emergent adverse reactions observed with zolpidem versus placebo and included dizziness (23.5% vs. 1.5%), headache (12.5% vs. 9.2%), and hallucinations were reported in 7% of the pediatric patients who received zolpidem; none of the pediatric patients who received placebo reported hallucinations. Ten patients on zolpidem (7.4%) discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction.

Geriatic Use

  • A total of 154 patients in U.S. controlled clinical trials and 897 patients in non-U.S. clinical trials who received oral zolpidem were ≥60 years of age. For a pool of U.S. patients receiving zolpidem tartrate at doses of ≤10 mg or placebo, there were three adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of at least 3% for zolpidem and for which the zolpidem incidence was at least twice the placebo incidence (i.e., they could be considered drug related).
This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.
  • A total of 30/1,959 (1.5%) non-U.S. patients receiving zolpidem reported falls, including 28/30 (93%) who were ≥70 years of age. Of these 28 patients, 23 (82%) were receiving zolpidem doses >10 mg. A total of 24/1,959 (1.2%) non-U.S. patients receiving zolpidem reported confusion, including 18/24 (75%) who were ≥70 years of age. Of these 18 patients, 14 (78%) were receiving zolpidem doses >10 mg.
  • The dose of zolpidem in elderly patients is 5 mg to minimize the adverse effects related to impaired motor and/or cognitive performance and unusual sensitivity to sedative-hypnotic drugs.

Gender

  • Women clear zolpidem tartrate from the body at a lower rate than men. Maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration curve (AUC) parameters of zolpidem were approximately 45% higher at the same dose in female subjects compared with male subjects. Given the higher blood levels of zolpidem tartrate in women compared to men at a given dose, the recommended initial dose of zolpidem for adult women is 5 mg, and the recommended dose for adult men is 5 or 10 mg.
  • In geriatric patients, clearance of zolpidem is similar in men and women. The recommended dose of zolpidem in geriatric patients is 5 mg regardless of gender.

Race

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) with respect to specific racial populations.

Renal Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in patients with hepatic impairment.

Females of Reproductive Potential and Males

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in women of reproductive potentials and males.

Immunocompromised Patients

There is no FDA guidance one the use of Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) in patients who are immunocompromised.

Administration and Monitoring

Administration

  • Oral spary

Monitoring

  • Monitor patients for tolerance, abuse, and dependence.
  • Monitor respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and other appropriate signs in overdose.

IV Compatibility

There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility.

Overdosage

Signs and Symptoms

  • In postmarketing experience of overdose with zolpidem tartrate alone, or in combination with CNS-depressant agents, impairment of consciousness ranging from somnolence to coma, cardiovascular and/or respiratory compromise, and fatal outcomes have been reported.

Recommended Treatment

  • General symptomatic and supportive measures should be used along with immediate gastric lavage where appropriate. Intravenous fluids should be administered as needed. Zolpidem’s sedative-hypnotic effect was shown to be reduced by flumazenil and therefore may be useful; however, flumazenil administration may contribute to the appearance of neurological symptoms (convulsions). As in all cases of drug overdose, respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and other appropriate signs should be monitored and general supportive measures employed. Hypotension and CNS depression should be monitored and treated by appropriate medical intervention. Sedating drugs should be withheld following zolpidem overdosage, even if excitation occurs. The value of dialysis in the treatment of overdosage has not been determined, although hemodialysis studies in patients with renal failure receiving therapeutic doses have demonstrated that zolpidem is not dialyzable.
  • As with the management of all overdosage, the possibility of multiple drug ingestion should be considered. The physician may wish to consider contacting a poison control center for up-to-date information on the management of hypnotic drug product overdosage.

Pharmacology

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Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray)
Systematic (IUPAC) name
N,N-dimethyl-2-(6-methyl-2-p-tolylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)acetamide
Identifiers
CAS number 82626-48-0
ATC code N05CF02
PubChem 5732
DrugBank DB00425
Chemical data
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Mol. mass 307.395 g/mol
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 70% (oral) 92% bound in plasma
Metabolism Hepatic – CYP3A4
Half life 2 to 3 hours
Excretion 56% renal
34% fecal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status

Prescription Only (S4)(AU) Schedule IV(US) CD (UK)[1]

Dependence Liability Moderate
Routes Oral (tablet), Sublingual, Oromucosal (spray)

Mechanism of Action

  • Zolpidem, the active moiety of zolpidem tartrate, is a hypnotic agent with a chemical structure unrelated to benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other drugs with known hypnotic properties. It interacts with a GABA-BZ receptor complex and shares some of the pharmacological properties of the benzodiazepines. In contrast to the benzodiazepines which non-selectively bind to and activate all BZ receptor subtypes, zolpidem in vitro binds the BZ1 receptor preferentially with a high affinity ratio of the α1/α5 subunits. This selective binding of zolpidem on the BZ1 receptor is not absolute, but it may explain the relative absence of myorelaxant and anticonvulsant effects in animal studies as well as the preservation of deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) in human studies of zolpidem at hypnotic doses.

Structure

  • Zolpidem is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A agonist of the imidazopyridine class. Chemically, zolpidem is N,N,6-trimethyl-2-p-tolylimidazo[1,2-a] pyridine-3-acetamide l-(+)-tartrate (2:1). It has the following structure:
This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.
  • Zolpidem tartrate is a white to off-white crystalline powder that is sparingly soluble in water, alcohol, and propylene glycol. It has a molecular weight of 764.89.
  • Zolpidem is available as an oral solution designed to be sprayed directly into the mouth over the tongue. Each metered actuation of zolpidem delivers 5 mg of zolpidem tartrate in 100 μL. Two actuations deliver 10 mg of zolpidem tartrate. Zolpidem includes the following inactive ingredients: artificial cherry flavor, benzoic acid, citric acid monohydrate, hydrochloric acid, neotame, propylene glycol, and purified water.

Pharmacodynamics

  • There is limited information regarding pharmacodynamics.

Pharmacokinetics

  • Zolpidem Oral Spray is bioequivalent to Ambien® tablets (Sanofi-Aventis). The pharmacokinetic profile of zolpidem is characterized by rapid absorption from the oral mucosa and gastrointestinal tract, and a short elimination t1/2 in healthy subjects.
  • In a single-dose crossover study in 10 healthy young (18-40 years of age) male subjects administered 2.5, 5, and 10 mg zolpidem, the results demonstrated a linear relationship to dose for mean Cmax and AUC0-∞ over the range of doses administered in the study.
  • In a single-dose crossover study in 43 healthy young (18-45 years of age) subjects administered 5 and 10 mg zolpidem, the means for Cmax were 114 (range: 19 to 197) and 210 ng/mL (range: 77 to 401), respectively, occurring at a mean time to maximum concentration (Tmax) of approximately 0.9 hours for both. The mean zolpidem t1/2 was 2.7 (range: 1.7 to 5.0) and 3.0 hours (range: 1.7 to 8.4), for 5 and 10 mg zolpidem, respectively. In the same study, the means for Cmax were 123 (range: 53 to 221) and 219 ng/mL (range: 101 to 446) for 5 and 10 mg Ambien® tablets, respectively, occurring at a mean Tmax of 0.9 and 1.0 hours, respectively. The mean zolpidem t1/2 was 2.8 (range: 1.5 to 6.0) and 3.1 hours (range: 1.1 to 8.6) for the 5 and 10 mg Ambien® tablets, respectively.
  • Zolpidem is converted to inactive metabolites that are eliminated primarily by renal excretion. Total protein binding for zolpidem was found to be 92.5 ± 0.1% and remained constant, independent of concentration between 40 and 790 ng/mL. Zolpidem did not accumulate in young adults following nightly dosing with 20 mg zolpidem tartrate for 2 weeks.
  • A food-effect crossover study in 14 healthy young (18-45 years of age) male subjects compared the pharmacokinetics of zolpidem 10 mg when administered while fasting at least 8 hours or 5 minutes after eating a standard high-fat meal. Results demonstrated that with food, mean AUC0-∞ and Cmax were decreased by 27% and 58%, respectively, while mean Tmax was prolonged by 225% (from 0.8 to 2.6 hours). These results suggest that, for faster sleep onset, as with all zolpidem products, zolpidem should not be administered with or immediately after a meal.

Special Populations:

  • Elderly: In the elderly, the dose for zolpidem tartrate should be 5 mg. This recommendation is based on several studies in which the mean Cmax, t1/2, and AUC were significantly increased when compared to results in young adults administered zolpidem tartrate. In a pharmacokinetic study of 24 elderly (≥65 years of age) subjects administered 5 mg zolpidem, the means for Cmax and AUC were 134 ng/mL and 493 ng∙hr/mL respectively, following administration of a single 5 mg oral dose of zolpidem. Zolpidem tartrate did not accumulate in elderly subjects following nightly oral dosing of 10 mg for 1 week.
  • Hepatic impairment: The pharmacokinetics of zolpidem in eight patients with chronic hepatic insufficiency were compared to results in healthy subjects. Following a single 20 mg oral zolpidem tartrate dose, mean Cmax and AUC were found to be two times (250 vs 499 ng/mL) and five times (788 vs 4,203 ng∙hr/mL) higher, respectively, in hepatically compromised patients. Tmax did not change. The mean t1/2 in cirrhotic patients of 9.9 hours (range: 4.1 to 25.8 hours) was greater than that observed in normal subjects of 2.2 hours (range: 1.6 to 2.4 hours). Dosing should be modified accordingly in patients with hepatic insufficiency.
  • Renal impairment: The pharmacokinetics of zolpidem were studied in 11 patients with end-stage renal failure (mean Cl Cr=6.5 ± 1.5 mL/min) undergoing hemodialysis three times a week, who were dosed with zolpidem tartrate 10 mg orally each day for 14 or 21 days. No statistically significant differences were observed for Cmax, Tmax, t1/2, and AUC between the first and last day of drug administration when baseline concentration adjustments were made. Zolpidem was not hemodialyzable. No accumulation of unchanged drug appeared after 14 or 21 days. Zolpidem pharmacokinetics were not significantly different in renally impaired patients. No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with compromised renal function.

Drug interactions:

  • CNS-depressants: Co-administration of zolpidem with other CNS depressants increases the risk of CNS depression. Zolpidem tartrate was evaluated in healthy volunteers in single-dose interaction studies for several CNS drugs. Imipramine in combination with zolpidem produced no pharmacokinetic interaction other than a 20% decrease in peak levels of imipramine, but there was an additive effect of decreased alertness. Similarly, chlorpromazine in combination with zolpidem produced no pharmacokinetic interaction, but there was an additive effect of decreased alertness and psychomotor performance.
  • A study involving haloperidol and zolpidem revealed no effect of haloperidol on the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of zolpidem. The lack of a drug interaction following single-dose administration does not predict the absence of an effect following chronic administration.
  • An additive adverse effect on psychomotor performance between alcohol and oral zolpidem was demonstrated.
  • Following five consecutive nightly doses at bedtime of oral zolpidem tartrate 10 mg in the presence of sertraline 50 mg (17 consecutive daily doses, at 7:00 am, in healthy female volunteers), zolpidem Cmax was significantly higher (43%) and Tmax was significantly decreased (-53%). Pharmacokinetics of sertraline and N-desmethylsertraline were unaffected by zolpidem.
  • A single-dose interaction study with zolpidem tartrate 10 mg and fluoxetine 20 mg at steady-state levels in male volunteers did not demonstrate any clinically significant pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions. When multiple doses of zolpidem and fluoxetine were given at steady state and the concentrations evaluated in healthy females, an increase in the zolpidem t1/2 (17%) was observed. There was no evidence of an additive effect in psychomotor performance.
  • Drugs that affect drug metabolism via cytochrome P450: Some compounds known to inhibit CYP3A may increase exposure to zolpidem. The effect of inhibitors of other P450 enzymes on the pharmacokinetics of zolpidem is unknown.
  • A single-dose interaction study with zolpidem tartrate 10 mg and itraconazole 200 mg at steady state levels in male volunteers resulted in a 34% increase in AUC0-∞ of zolpidem tartrate. There were no pharmacodynamic effects of zolpidem detected on subjective drowsiness, postural sway, or psychomotor performance.
  • A single-dose interaction study with zolpidem tartrate 10 mg and rifampin 600 mg at steady-state levels in female subjects showed significant reductions of the AUC (-73%), Cmax (-58%), and t1/2 (-36%) of zolpidem together with significant reductions in the pharmacodynamic effects of zolpidem tartrate. Rifampin, a CYP3A4 inducer, significantly reduced the exposure to and the pharmacodynamic effects of zolpidem.
  • A single-dose interaction study with zolpidem tartrate 5 mg and ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, given as 200 mg twice daily for 2 days increased Cmax of zolpidem (30%) and the total AUC of zolpidem (70%) compared to zolpidem alone and prolonged the elimination t1/2 (30%) along with an increase in the pharmacodynamic effects of zolpidem. Consideration should be given to using a lower dose of zolpidem when ketoconazole and zolpidem are given together.
  • Other drugs with no interactions with zolpidem: A study involving cimetidine/zolpidem tartrate and ranitidine/zolpidem tartrate combinations revealed no effect of either drug on the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of zolpidem.
  • Zolpidem tartrate had no effect on digoxin pharmacokinetics and did not affect prothrombin time when given with warfarin in healthy subjects.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

  • Carcinogenesis: Zolpidem was administered to mice and rats for 2 years at oral doses of 4, 18, and 80 mg base/kg/day. In mice, these doses are approximately 2.5, 10, and 50 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg/day (8 mg zolpidem base) on mg/m2 basis. In rats, these doses are approximately 5, 20, and 100 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. No evidence of carcinogenic potential was observed in mice. In rats, renal tumors (lipoma, liposarcoma) were seen at the mid- and high doses.
  • Mutagenesis: Zolpidem was negative in in vitro (bacterial reverse mutation, mouse lymphoma, and chromosomal aberration) and in vivo (mouse micronucleus) genetic toxicology assays.
  • Impairment of fertility: Oral administration of zolpidem (doses of 4, 20, and 100 mg base/kg/day) to rats prior to and during mating, and continuing in females through postpartum day 25, resulted in irregular estrus cycles and prolonged precoital intervals at the highest dose tested. The no-effect dose for these findings is approximately 24 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. There was no impairment of fertility at any dose tested.

Clinical Studies

Transient Insomnia

  • Normal adults experiencing transient insomnia (n=462) during the first night in a sleep laboratory were evaluated in a double-blind, parallel group, single-night trial comparing two doses of zolpidem (7.5 and 10 mg) and placebo. Both zolpidem doses were superior to placebo on objective (polysomnographic) measures of sleep latency, sleep duration, and number of awakenings.
  • Normal elderly adults (mean age 68) experiencing transient insomnia (n=35) during the first two nights in a sleep laboratory were evaluated in a double-blind, crossover, 2-night trial comparing four doses of zolpidem (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg) and placebo. All zolpidem doses were superior to placebo on the two primary PSG parameters (sleep latency and efficiency) and all four subjective outcome measures (sleep duration, sleep latency, number of awakenings, and sleep quality).

Chronic Insomnia

  • Zolpidem was evaluated in two controlled studies for the treatment of patients with chronic insomnia (most closely resembling primary insomnia, as defined in the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV™). Adult outpatients with chronic insomnia (n=75) were evaluated in a double-blind, parallel group, 5-week trial comparing two doses of zolpidem tartrate and placebo. On objective (polysomnographic) measures of sleep latency and sleep efficiency, zolpidem 10 mg was superior to placebo on sleep latency for the first 4 weeks and on sleep efficiency for weeks 2 and 4. Zolpidem was comparable to placebo on number of awakenings at both doses studied.
  • Adult outpatients (n=141) with chronic insomnia were also evaluated, in a double-blind, parallel group, 4-week trial comparing two doses of zolpidem and placebo. Zolpidem 10 mg was superior to placebo on a subjective measure of sleep latency for all 4 weeks, and on subjective measures of total sleep time, number of awakenings, and sleep quality for the first treatment week.
  • Increased wakefulness during the last third of the night as measured by polysomnography has not been observed in clinical trials with zolpidem.

Studies Pertinent to Safety Concerns for Sedative-hypnotic Drugs

  • Next-day residual effects: Next-day residual effects of zolpidem tartrate were evaluated in seven studies involving normal subjects. In three studies in adults (including one study in a phase advance model of transient insomnia) and in one study in elderly subjects, a small but statistically significant decrease in performance was observed in the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) when compared to placebo. Studies of zolpidem tartrate in non-elderly patients with insomnia did not detect evidence of next-day residual effects using the DSST, the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), and patient ratings of alertness.
  • Rebound effects: There was no objective (polysomnographic) evidence of rebound insomnia at recommended doses seen in studies evaluating sleep on the nights following discontinuation of zolpidem tartrate. There was subjective evidence of impaired sleep in the elderly on the first post-treatment night at doses above the recommended elderly dose of 5 mg.
  • Memory impairment: Controlled studies in adults utilizing objective measures of memory yielded no consistent evidence of next-day memory impairment following the administration of zolpidem tartrate. However, in one study involving zolpidem doses of 10 and 20 mg, there was a significant decrease in next-morning recall of information presented to subjects during peak drug effect (90 minutes post-dose) (i.e., these subjects experienced anterograde amnesia). There was also subjective evidence from adverse event data for anterograde amnesia occurring in association with the administration of zolpidem tartrate, predominantly at doses above 10 mg.
  • Effects on sleep stages: In studies that measured the percentage of sleep time spent in each sleep stage, zolpidem tartrate has generally been shown to preserve sleep stages. Sleep time spent in stages 3 and 4 (deep sleep) was found comparable to placebo with only inconsistent, minor changes in REM (paradoxical) sleep at the recommended dose.

How Supplied

  • Zolpidem is available in a child-resistant container. Each container includes a child-resistant cap and base with a metered-dose pump assembly and clear cover cap. Each container contains 8.2 g of product formulation. One and two actuations of zolpidem are equal to 5 and 10 mg of zolpidem tartrate, respectively. There are 60 metered actuations per container after 5 initial priming actuations. Zolpidem is supplied as:
  • NDC Number
  • 0095-0950-05
  • Size
  • Carton includes a child-resistant container with 7.7 mL (8.2 g) of product formulation; 60 metered actuations per container.
  • NDC Number
  • 0095-0950-09
  • Size
  • Physician Sample: Carton includes a child-resistant container with 2.1 mL (2.25 g) of product formulation; 8 metered actuations per container.

Storage

  • Store upright at 25 °C (77 °F) with excursions permitted to 15-30 °C (59-86 °F) (USP Controlled Room Temperature). Do not freeze. Avoid prolonged product exposure to temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F). The child-resistant container should be discarded when the labeled number of actuations (60 sprays) have been used.

Images

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Package and Label Display Panel

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Patient Counseling Information

  • See FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide): Inform patients and their families about the benefits and risks of treatment with zolpidem. Inform patients of the availability of a Medication Guide and instruct them to read the Medication Guide prior to initiating treatment with zolpidem and with each prescription refill. Review the zolpidem Medication Guide with every patient prior to initiation of treatment. Instruct patients or caregivers that zolpidem should be taken only as prescribed.
  • CNS depressant effects and next-day impairment: Tell patients that zolpidem has the potential to cause next-day impairment, and that this risk is increased if dosing instructions are not carefully followed. Tell patients to wait for at least 8 hours after dosing before driving or engaging in other activities requiring full mental alertness. Inform patients that impairment can be present despite feeling fully awake.
  • Severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions: Inform patients that severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have occurred with zolpidem. Describe the signs/symptoms of these reactions and advise patients to seek medical attention immediately if any of them occur.
  • Sleep-driving and other complex behaviors: Instruct patients and their families that sedative hypnotics can cause abnormal thinking and behavior change, including “sleep driving” and other complex behaviors while not being fully awake (preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex). Tell patients to call you immediately if they develop any of these symptoms.
  • Suicide: Tell patients to immediately report any suicidal thoughts.
  • Alcohol and other drugs: Ask patients about alcohol consumption, medicines they are taking, and drugs they may be taking without a prescription. Advise patients not to use zolpidem if they drank alcohol that evening or before bed.
  • Tolerance, abuse, and dependence: Tell patients not to increase the dose of zolpidem on their own, and to inform you if they believe the drug “does not work”.
  • Administration instructions: See the Dosage and Administration section. Zolpimist is packaged in a child-resistant container. Patients should be referred to the Patient Instructions for Use (following the Medication Guide) for detailed instructions on how to use Zolpimist. Patients should be counseled to take Zolpimist right before they get into bed and only when they are able to stay in bed a full night (7-8 hours) before being active again. Zolpimist should not be taken with or immediately after a meal. Advise patients NOT to take Zolpimist if they drank alcohol that evening.
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Precautions with Alcohol

Alcohol-Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

Brand Names

  • ZOLPIMIST ®[2]

Look-Alike Drug Names

There is limited information regarding Zolpidem (mucous membrane spray) Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.

Drug Shortage Status

Price

References

The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.

  1. ↑ "Home Office circular 039 / 2003". Archived from the original on 2010-11-24.
  2. ↑ "ZOLPIMIST- zolpidem tartrate spray, metered".
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