zolpidem

[ zohl-pi-dem, zohl-pid-uhm ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a sedative hypnotic drug, (C 19 H 21 N 3 O) 2 ·C 4 H 6 O 6, closely related in effect to the benzodiazepines, used in the treatment of insomnia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zolpidem¹

First recorded in 1950–55; abbreviation of (a)zol(e) + p(yrim)id(ine) + alteration of amide

Example Sentences

Many were purporting to be benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, and insomnia treatments including temazepam and zolpidem.

From BBC

GPs can also offer medication, mainly sleeping pills zopiclone and zolpidem, but these are not recommended for use for more than four weeks due how quickly they become ineffective and the chances of forming dependency.

From BBC

In 2023, on average of 1,000 prescriptions were filed every day by NHS GPs in Wales for zopiclone and zolpidem.

From BBC

Sleeping pills found included zopiclone, zolpidem and zolpidem tartrate.

From BBC

Zolpidem can also cause next-day drowsiness, especially among women and older adults, whose bodies slowly break down the drug, possibly because they have lower levels of the hormone testosterone, which plays a role in metabolizing the drug.

From New York Times