Zolpidem: FDA Approved Generic Ambien for Treating Insomnia

Ambien and associated hypnotic therapeutic drugs have been at the forefront of consumer healthcare alerts for many months now. For patients who suffer from insomnia, requiring the use of Ambien, the cost associated with therapy has been quite expensive. With the patent on the drug expiring in April of 2007, patients who use Ambien are now afforded an opportunity to purchase the generic form, Zolpidem, as approved by the FDA.

Zolpidem, a generic tablet manufactured and distributed by Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals, is now available as a generic form of Ambien in the United States. For patients who suffer from insomnia, this short term treatment for their sleep disorder is now much more cost effective.

When suffering from insomnia, healthcare professionals are increasingly more likely to prescribe this generic drug, Zolpidem. While there is a high risk for abuse, healthcare professionals are warned to prescribe Zolpidem cautiously and only in short term therapeutic settings. If you are a patient suffering from insomnia, and you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, your healthcare professional may choose other options for insomnia treatment, instead of using Zolpidem.

Dosing of Zolpidem is generally provided in 5 or 10 milligram tablets with the recommendation to use Zolpidem at bedtime, without food, as this will increase the absorption. As a general rule, patients who suffer from mild insomnia, those who aer elderly and those who suffer from pre-existing liver dysfunction, should use the lower dosing forms of Zolpidem.

As with any FDA approved drug, the generic drug, Zolpidem does not come without side effects. The side effects most commonly experienced, with use as directed, include hallucinations, poor motor coordination, changes in appetite and weight, a greater impulsivity and even some forms of amnesia. For this reason, when prescribed Zolpidem, be certain you are in a safe location, preferably at home, without access to keys or vehicles, so as to ensure sleepwalking or sleep driving does not occur.