Course Summary

Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication that is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It induces sleep by binding to benzodiazepine-1 receptors that are associated with GABA receptors. It is available as immediate and extended-release tablets, sublingual tablets, and as an oral spray. Treatment with zolpidem should be as short as possible. The most common adverse effects of zolpidem are drowsiness, headache, and dizziness. Zolpidem is also associated with the risk for health-related concerns, including sleep disorders and substance use disorders, especially with longer-term use. Health clinicians should educate patients on the issues related to side effects and drug interactions of zolpidem.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Pharmacological Profile and Uses
    • Available Forms and Dosing
    • Dosing Considerations: Geriatric, Hepatic, Renal
    • Other Considerations
  • Treatments with Zolpidem
  • Drug Warnings and Contraindications
    • Central Nervous System
    • Hepatic Disease
    • Hypersensitivity Reaction
    • Myasthenia Gravis
    • Depression and Suicidal Ideation
    • Respiratory Disease
    • Dangerous Behaviors and Parasomnias
    • Withdrawal/Discontinuation
    • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
  • Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Substance Use Disorder
  • Zolpidem Overdose
    • Case Reports: Zolpidem Overdose in Varied Age Groups
  • Case Study: The Differential Diagnosis of Central Sleep Apnea and Zolpidem Treatment in a 38-Year-old Male
  • Summary

Author

Harpreet Ghai, MS (Pharm), BPharm, Rph

Harpreet Ghai has been a practicing Pharmacist for 12 years in Comox, British Columbia. He has also completed his Master’s in Science, specializing in Medicinal Chemistry from NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research), in India. He has spent 3 years in Pharmaceutical Research at Ranbaxy in Gurugram (India), where he was engaged in Structure-based drug designing and was a part of a premier research-intensive group responsible for discovering novel drugs. Harpreet enjoys the day-to-day challenges at the retail pharmacy. Interactions with customers, listening to their drug-related issues, and providing solutions are profoundly rewarding.

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