Zolpidem Dosage
Medically reviewed on May 1, 2017.
Applies to the following strengths: 5 mg; 10 mg; 6.25 mg; 12.5 mg; 5 mg/spray; 3.5 mg; 1.75 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Geriatric Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (IR) TABLET, ORAL SPRAY, and SUBLINGUAL TABLET (EDLUAR):
-Initial Dose: 5 mg (Women) OR 5 mg or 10 mg (Men)
-Maintenance Dose: The dose may be increased to 10 mg if the 5 mg dose is not effective.
-Maximum Dose: 10 mg once a day.
-Duration of Therapy: The clinical trials in support of efficacy were 4 to 5 weeks in duration.
CONTROLLED/EXTENDED RELEASE (CR/ER) TABLET:
-Initial Dose: 6.25 mg (Women) OR 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg (Men)
-Maintenance Dose: The dose may be increased to 12.5 mg if the 6.25 mg dose is not effective.
-Maximum Dose: 12.5 mg once a day.
-Duration of Therapy: The clinical trials in support of efficacy were up to 3 and 24 weeks in duration.
SUBLINGUAL TABLET (INTERMEZZO):
-Initial and Maximum Dose: 1.75 mg (Women) OR 3.5 mg (Men)
Comments: The recommended initial doses for women and men are different due to the lower rate of drug clearance in females.
Use:
-IR Tablet, Oral Spray, and Sublingual Tablet (Edluar): Short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation.
-CR/ER Tablet: Treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance (as measured by wake time after sleep onset).
-Sublingual Tablet (Intermezzo): As needed treatment of insomnia when a middle-of-the-night awakening is followed by difficulty returning to sleep.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Insomnia
-IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLET, ORAL SPRAY, and SUBLINGUAL TABLET (EDLUAR): 5 mg
-EXTENDED RELEASE TABLET: 6.25 mg
-SUBLINGUAL TABLET (INTERMEZZO): Men and Women Over the Age of 65 Years: 1.75 mg
Usual Pediatric Dose for Insomnia
Not recommended.
Renal Dose Adjustments
No adjustment recommended; however, closely monitor patients as a general precaution.
Liver Dose Adjustments
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLET:
-Mild to Moderate Hepatic Impairment: 5 mg
-Severe Hepatic Impairment: Avoid use.
CONTROLLED/EXTENDED RELEASE TABLET:
-Mild to Moderate Hepatic Impairment: 6.25 mg
-Severe Hepatic Impairment: Avoid use.
ORAL SPRAY and SUBLINGUAL TABLET (EDLUAR):
-Hepatic Impairment: 5 mg
SUBLINGUAL TABLET (INTERMEZZO):
-Men and Women with Hepatic Impairment: 1.75 mg
Dose Adjustments
DEBILITATED PATIENTS:
-Immediate Release (IR) Tablet, Oral Spray, and Sublingual Tablet (Edluar): 5 mg
-Controlled/Extended Release (CR/ER) Tablet: 6.25 mg
-Sublingual Tablet (Intermezzo): Data not available.
CONCOMITANT USE WITH CNS DEPRESSANTS:
-IR Tablet, CR/ER Tablet, Oral Spray, and Sublingual Tablet (Edluar): Dose adjustment may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested. Caution is recommended.
-Sublingual Tablet (Intermezzo): Men and Women: 1.75 mg
Precautions
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
US Controlled Substance: Schedule IV
Dialysis
This drug is not dialyzable.
Other Comments
Administration Advice:
-IR Tablet, CR/ER Tablet, Oral Spray, and Sublingual Tablet (Edluar): Advise patients to administer this drug orally once a day immediately before or at bedtime with at least 7 to 8 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening.
-Sublingual Tablet (Intermezzo): Advise patients to administer this drug orally once a night as needed if a middle-of-the-night awakening is followed by difficulty returning to sleep AND with at least 4 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening.
-Prescribe patients the lowest effective dose.
-Advise patients to take this drug as a single dose and not to re-administer during the same night.
-For optimal effect, advise patients not to administer this drug with or immediately after a meal.
-CR/ER Tablet: Advise patients to swallow this dose form whole, and not to divide, crush, or chew it.
-Oral Spray: Consult the manufacturer product information for instructions on how to administer this dose form.
-Sublingual Tablet (Edluar and Intermezzo): Advise patients to place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to disintegrate completely; this dose form should not be swallowed whole or taken with water.
-Sublingual Tablet (Intermezzo): Advise patients to remove the tablet from the pouch just prior to dosing.
Storage Requirements:
-Consult the manufacturer product information.
General:
-Overdosage: Consult the manufacturer product information for management recommendations.
Monitoring:
-Monitor all patients for tolerance, abuse, and dependence.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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