Edluar™ ( zolpidem sublingual tablet) is a prescription medication approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia in people with difficulty falling asleep, as opposed to difficulty staying asleep. Like many other sleep medications, it is a controlled substance and may be abused.
Who Makes This Medication?
Edluar is made by Recipharm Stockholm AB for Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Edluar is part of a class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics, which are known more commonly as sleep medicines. It is thought that Edluar works by binding to certain receptors in the brain called benzodiazepine receptors. It should be noted that this is not a benzodiazepine drug and is not chemically related to benzodiazepines, even though it binds to the same receptors.
General considerations for those taking Edluar include the following:
- This medicine comes in the form of a sublingual tablet. It is placed under the tongue, where it will quickly dissolve, immediately before bedtime.
- Do not chew the Edluar tablet or take it with water. Simply place it under the tongue.
- Taking a dose with food or immediately after eating will make the medication work more slowly. Therefore, it is better to take Edluar on an empty stomach rather than with food.
- Do not take this drug unless you can get a full night of sleep (seven or eight hours).
- For Edluar to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose without your healthcare provider's approval.
Dosing Information
The dose of Edluar your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to the medication
- Your age
- Other drugs you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Side Effects of Edluar
Just like any medicine, Edluar can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.
Common side effects with Edluar include, but are not limited to:
(Click Edluar Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Potential Drug Interactions
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Edluar if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Overdose on Edluar?
An overdose with Edluar can be dangerous. If you happen to take too much of this medicine, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should This Medicine Be Stored?
Edluar should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children. It is probably best to keep the tablets in their original foil blister packs.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
This medication is often prescribed on an "as needed" basis, which means that you do not need to take it if you do not have trouble sleeping. If you forget to take a dose of Edluar and cannot sleep, it is probably okay to take your dose, as long as it is still early in the night. Taking it late at night may make it difficult to wake up at your normal time.
Strengths of Edluar
Edluar sublingual tablets come in the following strengths:
- Edluar 5 mg
- Edluar 10 mg.
The tablets are not scored and cannot be accurately or easily cut in half.
Generic Availability
This medication is not available in generic form (see Generic Edluar).
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