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Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (Z-drug)

Zolpidem tartrate

Brand names: Stilnoct

Zolpidem is a short-acting hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class used for short-term treatment of insomnia.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It acts as an agonist at the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA-A receptor, enhancing inhibitory GABAergic transmission to promote sleep.

Prescribing in practice

  • There is a risk of next-day impairment affecting driving and skilled tasks, and the MHRA advises using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
  • Tolerance and dependence can develop, so it should be prescribed for short-term use only.
  • Complex sleep behaviours such as sleep-walking and sleep-driving have been reported and warrant discontinuation.

Monitoring

Review the ongoing need at each contact and monitor for dependence, daytime sedation and unusual sleep behaviours.

Counselling the patient

  • Take it immediately before bed and only when you can get a full night's sleep.
  • Do not drive if you feel drowsy the following day, and avoid alcohol.
  • Use it for short periods only to reduce the risk of dependence.

Evidence & guidelines

MHRA advice highlights the risk of next-day impairment and the importance of short-term, lowest-effective-dose prescribing for Z-drugs.

Reference: NICE CKS Insomnia; DVLA guidance; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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