Stilnox

Active ingredient

The medicinal product Stilnox® contains the active ingredient zolpidem. Zolpidem has a similar effect to benzodiazepines. It belongs to the so-called GABA agonists, i.e. it has a stimulating effect on the GABA receptors in the brain, which mediate dampening processes. This means that Stilnox® promotes sleep. Its half-life is around two to three hours. The active ingredient zolpidem is currently the most frequently prescribed sleep aid in Germany. Stilnox® requires a prescription.

Areas of application

Stilnox® becomes therapy severe trouble sleeping used, especially heavier Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleepand waking up very early in the morning. In contrast, Stilnox® is not used for mild sleep disorders, as a certain one Dependency potential exists and this does not justify the use if the patient is only slightly impaired.

Contraindication

Stilnox® must not be used in Myasthenia gravis (pathological muscle weakness), severe breathing problems (Respiratory failure), Sleep apnea syndrome (nocturnal pauses in breathing), severe liver dysfunctionn, intolerance to substances contained in Stilnox®, as well as Lactose allergy (Lactose intolerance). At depressions or otherwise psychiatric illness Stilnox® may only be taken in consultation with the attending physician.

Children and young people

Children and young people under 18 years may Stilnox® do not take, since clinical experience values ​​for this age group have not yet been sufficiently collected.

pregnancy and breast feeding period

In the pregnancy may Stilnox® not taken as the unborn child can be harmed. Therapy with Stilnox® must not be carried out during breastfeeding eitheras the medicine passes into breast milk and can therefore be passed on to the child.

dosage

Adults to take One film-coated tablet (10mg) Stilnox per day® just before bed with sufficient liquid. In the elderly over 65 years is the Halve dosageso that they only take half a tablet of Stilnox® a day. The same goes for people with mild liver dysfunction.

With certain diseases, such as Respiratory, renal and hepatic insufficiency must be a individual dose adjustment respectively. The attending doctor will decide on this. Generally speaking, Stilnox® should be used on one Limited to a few days be. In no case should the application be used exceed four weeksbecause the risk of addiction is very high.

Addiction risk

The risk of becoming dependent on Stilnox® is quite high. This is especially true if the drug has been used for exceeds four weeks. Therapy should therefore be taken to avoid addiction as short as possible be. In addition, the daily dose of a maximum of one film-coated tablet (or half a film-coated tablet in special cases) must not be exceeded.

For people under Alcohol addiction, drug addiction, or psychiatric illness seems to be at risk of becoming dependent on Stilnox® elevated to be. A close control by the attending physician. Older people should also be called in for regular check-ups. If the drug is taken for more than four weeks, it can also lead to one Tolerance development come, i.e. it comes to one Loss of effectiveness of the drug.

At abrupt withdrawal of Drug can Withdrawal symptoms (Rebound phenomena) occur. This includes Nervousness, anxiety disorders, headaches, sweating, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms usually subside at the latest two to three weeks to. Nevertheless, one is recommended gradual tapering off of the medication by slowly reducing the dose to avoid such effects.

Side effects

Under therapy with Stilnox® you can various side effects occur. These side effects mostly occur especially shortly after ingestion of the medication when it is already working, but the patient is not yet in bed. Symptoms such as Nightmares, states of restlessness, tiredness, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and worsening of the sleep disorder. If the drug is still effective when the person concerned gets up in the morning, it can close increased daily fatigue come. At this stage it can too Memory problems come.

During therapy with Stilnox® you can also depressions occur or pre-existing depression may worsen. Occasionally there will be side effects like Irritability, confusion and double vision described. In addition, a Unsteady gait, allergic skin reactions or one Decrease in sexual desire occur. It can seldom be increased during therapy with Stilnox® Liver disorders With Jaundice (Jaundice) or one Inflammation of the liver (Hepatitis) come.

Especially the elderlyThose who get out of bed again after taking the medication are special in this phase Risk of falling and injury. It will also cover cases of Sleepwalking (Somnambulism) associated with Stilnox® have been reported where patients do things while sleeping that they do not remember the next day, such as walking around, driving, changing clothes, cooking or eating. In such cases, where behavior is unconsciously harmful to self or others, the attending physician should be consulted and the treatment discontinued.

Interactions

If other medications are taken at the same time as therapy with Stilnox®, this can lead to unwanted interactions come. For example, the effect of Stilnox® when taking other sleeping pills, pain relievers (e.g. opioids / opiates), Antidepressants, Anti-epileptic drugs or sedatives (tranquilizers) be reinforced. Same goes for that antibiotic Ciprofloxacin.

Also alcohol can reduce the effect of the drug amplify, which is why it must not be taken with alcohol. In contrast to increase some drugs, such as the antibiotic Rifampicin the breakdown of Stilnox® in the body, which is why there is then a reduction in effectiveness.

Medicines that slow down the metabolism of Stilnox® in the body lead to a Effect enhancement of the drug. This applies to, for example Grapefruit juice, macrolide antibiotics, certain antifungal agents, and cimetidine.

Stilnox® also mutually reinforces the effectiveness of some other drugs. E.g. the Effect of muscle relaxants (Medicines for muscle relaxation) under therapy with Stilnox® reinforced.

Driving ability

Because Stilnox® depends on the patient metabolized at different rates and is dismantled, is in any case for at least eight hours to refrain from active participation in road traffic after ingestion. Also should be at this time no machines run or other activities that require a high level of concentration. Because of the remaining part of the drug in the blood, that is Responsiveness in these times limited.