Zolpidem long-term effects

Long-term effects of zolpidem in children/adolescents are unknown... 

Walker BM, Ettenberg A The effects of alprazolam on conditioned place preferences produced by intravenous heroin. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 75 75 80, 2003 Weens EM, Griffiths RR Zolpidem self-injection with concurrent physical dependence under conditions of long-term continuous availability in baboons. Behav Pharmacol 9 285—297, 1998... 

One principal difference between the medications is half-life, that is, the time required to metabolize 50% of the compound present in the body. Zolpidem has a half-life of 1.4-4.5 honrs, zaleplon has a half-life of 0.9-1.1 hours, and eszopiclone has a half-life of abont 6 honrs. The key is the markedly shorter half-lives that are displayed by many other sedative-hypnotics, as shown in Eigure 9.1. Only eszopiclone has been shown effective for the long-term (np to 6 months) treatment of chronic insomnia. 

Diazepam is better indicated if insomnia is associated with daytime anxiety. Other benzodiazepines prescribed for insomnia include nitrazepam, flur-azepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam and temazepam. The non-benzodiazepine hypnotics zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone are not licensed for long-term use. The sedative antipsychotic promethazine hydrochloride is sometimes used to facilitate sleep, with a 25-50 mg recommended dose. Melatonin has proved effective for some clients, mostly in regulating the sleep/waking cycle. Although evidence of efficacy is limited, some clients use herbs such as valerian and chamomile. If Mr AB will finally be diagnosed with depression, a trial with an antidepressant will be indicated. 

---