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Edluar Side Effects

Generic name: zolpidem

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 23, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Edluar Side Effects associated with zolpidem. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Edluar.

Applies to zolpidem: tablet.

Other dosage forms:

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Sublingual route (tablet)

Warning: Complex Sleep Behaviors. Complex sleep behaviors including sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake may occur following use of zolpidem tartrate.

Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death.

Discontinue zolpidem tartrate immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Zolpidem may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning. You could drive a car, sleepwalk, have sex, make phone calls, or prepare and eat food while you are asleep or not fully awake. Tell your doctor right away if any of these things occur.

If you think you need to take zolpidem (the active ingredient contained in Edluar) for more than 7 to 10 days, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Insomnia that lasts longer than this may be a sign of another medical problem.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Even though zolpidem is taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Also, this medicine may cause double vision or other vision problems. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are using zolpidem, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people using this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

Using this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy can harm your newborn baby. Check with your doctor right away if your baby has pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, difficult or troubled breathing, excessive sleepiness, or limpness. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or if you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine.

If you will be using zolpidem for a long time, do not stop using it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects.

After using zolpidem for insomnia, you may have difficulty sleeping (rebound insomnia) for the first few nights after you stop treatment.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of zolpidem or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with zolpidem may lead to breathing problems and unconsciousness. Some signs of an overdose include severe drowsiness, severe nausea or vomiting, staggering, and troubled breathing.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of Edluar

Some side effects of zolpidem may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common side effects

  • abnormal or decreased touch sensation
  • abnormal sensation of movement
  • appetite disorder
  • balance disorder
  • binge eating
  • bladder pain
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • blurred vision
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • change in hearing
  • chest discomfort
  • chills
  • constipation
  • continuous ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
  • daytime drowsiness
  • diarrhea
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • difficulty with moving
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • double vision
  • dry mouth
  • earache
  • eye redness
  • frequent bowel movements
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • headache
  • hearing loss
  • heartburn
  • itching ears
  • joint pain
  • lack of appetite
  • lack or loss of strength
  • longer or heavier menstrual periods
  • loss of balance
  • muscle aches, cramping, pain, or stiffness
  • nausea
  • redness of the skin
  • redness or soreness of the throat
  • sneezing
  • stomach pain
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • swollen joints
  • vision changes
  • vomiting

Serious side effects of Edluar

Along with its needed effects, zolpidem may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zolpidem:

Less common side effects

  • clumsiness or unsteadiness
  • confusion about identity, place, and time
  • discouragement
  • drugged feeling
  • false or unusual sense of well-being
  • feeling of unreality
  • feeling sad or empty
  • hives or welts
  • irritability
  • lack of appetite
  • lack of feeling or emotion
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • lack or loss of self-control
  • memory problems
  • mood swings
  • nightmares or unusual dreams
  • sense of detachment from self or body
  • slowing of mental and physical activity
  • tiredness
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping

Rare side effects

  • difficulty with breathing
  • dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
  • falling
  • fast heartbeat
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • skin rash
  • swelling of the face
  • unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability

For healthcare professionals

Applies to zolpidem: oral capsule, oral spray, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, sublingual tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included dizziness, headache, and somnolence.[Ref]

Nervous system

Psychiatric

Gastrointestinal

Other

Respiratory

Ocular

Musculoskeletal

Genitourinary

Dermatologic

Immunologic

Cardiovascular

Metabolic

Hypersensitivity

Hepatic

Hematologic

Renal

Oncologic

Local

Tongue paresthesia and sublingual erythema occurred in patients given sublingual tablet formulations.[Ref]

See also:

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Ambien (zolpidem)." sanofi-aventis

2. (2005) "Product Information. Ambien CR (zolpidem)." Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

5. (2009) "Product Information. Edluar (zolpidem)." Meda Pharmaceuticals

6. (2011) "Product Information. Intermezzo (zolpidem)." Purdue Pharma LP

7. (2017) "Product Information. Zolpimist (zolpidem)." Magna Pharmaceuticals Inc

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Edluar side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.