Ambien CR Dosage
Generic name: ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE 6.25mg
Dosage form: tablet, coated
Drug class: Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 15, 2025.
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 7–8 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 AMBIEN CR should not exceed 12.5 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. AMBIEN CR 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 AMBIEN CR 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.
Special Populations
Elderly or debilitated patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of zolpidem tartrate. The recommended dose of AMBIEN CR 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 AMBIEN CR in these patients is 6.25 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. Avoid AMBIEN CR use in patients with severe hepatic impairment as it may contribute to encephalopathy.
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