Zolpidem - has it caused anxiety/agitation for anyone?

Hi Carolne.  I not sure if zolpidem is the same as zoplicone but zoplicone is what i take.  I was up to 7 (7.5) a night but now am down to half a one and doing quite well.  I used to panick but made up my mind that when i go to bed i just relax and blank my mind and actually doze quite a bit.  Must have enough sleep cause next day i feel rested.  Never really had any depression or anxiety.  Maybe i am a lucky one because so far no real bad withdrawal etc and i have been on these nasty pills for many years.  Just made up my mind and eventually hope to get off completely.  Between myself and my doctor weaned me down slowly.  I get my prescription for two months but can only pick up from pharmacy every two weeks.  That helps me cause cannot cheat that way cause if i do then will not have enough to get me through.  Good luck.

Well done! Keep at it.

Zopiclone and Zolpidem are very slightly different but basically work in the same way. I always preferred zolpidem because it doesn't have that lingering aftertaste which is so marked with zopiclone.

Anyway, after years of serious addiction I am now in treatment. I hope you continue to stay positive.

Hi Caroline. I hope the following information helps. Zolpidem is actually meant for short-term treatment, but in certain cases of chronic insomnia it can be prescribed for longer .  Do you take the regularly every night?  If not you will suffer a rebound effect , this is where  therapeutic drugs stops working and symptoms come back usually  more pronounced.  I suffered terrible sleep problems so I know what you're going through. Everybody is different and certain  drugs can work in people differently from others.   A simple solution would be to put you up to 10 mg a night but  your doctor would not wish you to do this  simply because of people abusing drugs whichAt the end of the day, just like I was told when I was seriously injured, addiction comes second to quality of life. However doctors must give you medication that is not addictive to start with as a first line defense.  This can't be disheartening because it takes a while to find the right medication but I am sure he has your best interests at heart.  Having an addictive personality will make the doctor take this into consideration and it would be up to you to tell him that you are not the type to be addicted but that you really need your sleep.  It seems zolpidem is no longer working on you properly and a rotation of medication may be in order. Have you tried Zoplclone .... I am unsure if it is available in the United States  I am assuming from your narrative that you suffer from anxiety as well as sleep problems and perhaps there is an underlying cause, however I am a psychologist so I will not attempt to enter the  subject, but perhaps it is something you may be able to deal with.  The problem with sleeping tablets that are strong enough to help with anxiety and sleep problems have a stigma attached to them simply because of people abusing them rather than using them and people who. really need them suffer. people that really need them like myself instance.  You must keep speaking to your doctor and telling him your problems, sometimes they have to resort to our last line of defence which is benzodiazepines but I would suspect that you would only need a very small dose and of course you would be careful with them ......i  now use Dalmane and rotate with Zopiclone but I tried Zolpidem and it suited me better. I am to ask for some today as I am suddenly feeling serious anxiety. 

I do believe rotating medication as I have some medical experience and believe more doctors should do this as a matter of course.from what you state I believe you need a sleeping tablet and also a light sedative for daytime as contrary to medical opinion sleeping tablets certainly do not continue working the next day after your tolerant which I gather you are. I make a suggestion but you may choose it's not for you. Use a sleeping tablet at night, try a smaller dose. Such as 5 mg Zolpidem or 3.75 Zopiclone, or if you lucky Dalmane 15mg. Then ask for a light sedative for anxiety for day use. This will remove the highs and lows. A word of advice.... you shouldn't tell your doctor that your double dose  saying taking 10 mg rather than 5 mg, this would be one reason for him not to prescribe you anything else, doctors like to know that you are taking the medication as directed by them but expect you to try for a period then go back and explain they are not sufficient. Your main argument is that your problems are impacting your life to the point of suffering. It does not matter any stigma attached to medication, you have a right to persue a normal life and explaining this helps. Good luck.... M 

Hello, I've been using zolpidem 5 mg for 5 nights. I don't normally have much anxiety during the day, though I have some at night, which is why I need sleep meds. However, the day after using this drug for sleep I have anxiety issues and general discontentment and agitation throughout the day. I also am having nightmares since starting zolpidem. I'm done with this experiment. Another sleep aid that doesn't work for me. Bummer.

Hi, Im new on here and found it by googling zopiclone. I recently quit drinking (17 days now) and was prescribed zopiclone because my sleep was nil. I've been on it for 2 weeks now at 7.5mg and although it helps me fall asleep, I've sunk into a depressive state. I wake up and feel extremely anxious, irritable and restless. It seems like it's getting worse and I barely make it though the day without loosing my mind. I find it subsides by the evening and I calm down. Because it's only getting worse, I feel likes its this zopiclone. I keep taking it as directed , and as soon as I take it I feel my body relax but it only lasts for 7 or 8 hrs, while Im sleeping. After reading up on this, it makes sense. I made a Dr. appt for tomorrow to discuss this as I don't want to be on this medication anymore. It's making me feel like I'm loosing my mind.