Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
WARNING: Important safety information is provided in a boxed warning in the
full CMI. Read before using this medicine.
1. Why am I using SOMIDEM?
SOMIDEM contains the active ingredient zolpidem tartrate. SOMIDEM is used to initiate
and maintain sleep in those with sleeping difficulties, also called insomnia, in patients
over 18 years of age. For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using SOMIDEM? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use SOMIDEM?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to SOMIDEM or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, have been drinking alcohol,
take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use SOMIDEM? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use SOMIDEM?
In adults: usual dose is one 10 mg tablet taken just before bedtime.
In people over 65 years of age: the dose is one 5 mg tablet taken just before bedtime.
5. What should I know while using SOMIDEM?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using SOMIDEM.
If you become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant while you are taking this
medicine, stop taking it and tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
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Things you should not do
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Do not take SOMIDEM if you have sleep apnoea, myasthenia gravis, severe liver problems,
acute and / or severe lung problems or if you have previously experienced complex
sleep behaviours such as sleep walking.
Do not give SOMIDEM to a child or adolescent.
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Driving or using machines
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You should not operate dangerous machinery or drive motor vehicles for 8 hours after
you take it. You should also be careful the next morning when you wake up.
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Drinking alcohol
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You should not drink alcohol while you are taking SOMIDEM.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects are: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue, worsened insomnia,
hallucinations, delirium, nightmares, agitation, depression, abdominal pain, diarrhoea,
nausea and vomiting, back pain, infections of the nose, throat and chest and loss
of memory.
If any of the following happen, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately,
or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital: swelling of the face, lips,
mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, hives, fainting.
Sleep walking, driving motor vehicles and other unusual, and on some occasions dangerous,
behaviours whilst apparently asleep may also occur. For more information, including
what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
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WARNING: ZOLPIDEM MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH UNUSUAL AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BEHAVIOURS
WHILST APPARENTLY ASLEEP. THESE HAVE INCLUDED SLEEP WALKING, DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLES
AND OTHER BIZARRE BEHAVIOURS. SOME MEDICINES MAY INTERACT WITH ZOLPIDEM AND PARTICULAR
CAUTION IS NEEDED WITH OTHER DRUGS THAT MAY ALSO ACT ON THE BRAIN; BEFORE YOU TAKE
ZOLPIDEM REFER TO THE "TAKING OTHER MEDICINES" SECTION BELOW OR ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR
PHARMACIST. YOU MUST NOT DRINK ALCOHOL WHEN YOU TAKE ZOLPIDEM . DO NOT TAKE ZOLPIDEM
FOR MORE THAN 4 WEEKS. IF YOUR SLEEP PROBLEMS CONTINUE, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
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Active ingredient(s):
Zolpidem tartrate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using SOMIDEM. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using SOMIDEM.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using SOMIDEM?
SOMIDEM contains the active ingredient zolpidem tartrate.
SOMIDEM is used to initiate and maintain sleep in those with sleeping difficulties,
also called insomnia in patients over 18 years of age. It is not recommended for use
for more than 4 weeks at a time.
SOMIDEM has a different chemical structure to other sleeping tablets. It works by
binding to special sites in the brain which produce sleep.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
2. What should I know before I use SOMIDEM?
Warnings
Do not use SOMIDEM if:
you are allergic to zolpidem tartrate, or any of the ingredients listed at the end
of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you have been drinking alcohol or you believe that you may have alcohol in your bloodstream
you have sleep apnoea (a condition where you temporarily stop breathing while you
sleep)
you have myasthenia gravis (a condition in which the muscles become weak and tire
easily)
you have severe liver problems
you have acute and/or severe lung problems
you have previously experienced complex sleep behaviours after taking this medicine
including sleepwalking, sleep-driving, and/or engaging in other activities while not
fully awake.
Do not give SOMIDEM to a child or adolescent under 18 years of age. There is no experience with its use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any problems with your breathing or if you often snore while you are asleep.
have ever been addicted to alcohol or any drug or medicine or if you have ever suffered
from a mental illness. If you have, you may be at risk of getting into a regular pattern
or habit of taking SOMIDEM.
have, or have had, any medical conditions, especially the following:
problems with your heart, liver, kidneys or lungs
epilepsy
depression
mental illness, for example, schizophrenia
plan to have surgery.
have allergies to any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
take any medicines for any other condition.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had a mental disorder or have abused
or have been dependent on alcohol or drugs.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant , suspect that you are pregnant or intend
to become pregnant.
Like most medicines of this kind, SOMIDEM is not recommended to be used during pregnancy.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it if you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
SOMIDEM can pass into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits
of using it if you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.
Do not take it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
Do not take it if the packaging is damaged or shows signs of tampering.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with SOMIDEM and affect how it works.
Medicines that may
increase
the effect of SOMIDEM include:
alcohol
medicines to treat depression, anxiety and mental illness
medicine used to produce calmness or to help you sleep
medicines to treat epilepsy
pain relievers
muscle relaxants
antihistamines
ciprofloxacin a medicine used to treat infections
ketoconazole, a medicine to treat antifungal infections
opioids
These medicines may increase drowsiness. This may affect your ability to drive a car
or operate dangerous machinery. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine,
or take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Medicines that may
reduce
the effect of SOMIDEM include:
St John's Wort (also known as Hypericum), a herbal remedy used to treat depression
Rifampicin, a medicine used to treat infection
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect SOMIDEM.
4. How do I use SOMIDEM?
How much to take
The usual adult dose of SOMIDEM is one tablet (10 mg) taken just before you go to
bed.
If you are over 65 years of age the dose is half a SOMIDEM tablet (5 mg) taken just
before you go to bed.
If you have any liver problems, the usual recommended dose is half a SOMIDEM tablet
(5 mg). Do not take SOMIDEM if you have severe liver problems.
Your doctor may have prescribed a different dose. The lowest effective daily dose
should be used and must not exceed 10 mg. Follow the instructions they give you and
use SOMIDEM until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you take the wrong dose, SOMIDEM may not work as well.
If you take too much, your consciousness may be impaired (see 'If you take too much
SOMIDEM' below).
Ask your doctor if you are unsure of the correct dose for you. They will tell you
exactly how much to take.
When to take SOMIDEM
Take SOMIDEM immediately before you go to bed or while you are in bed.
SOMIDEM should only be taken when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8
hours) before you need to be active again. It should be taken in one dose and not
be re-administered during the same night.
How long to take it
Usually, SOMIDEM or any other medicines to treat sleeping disorders should only be
used for short periods (e.g. 2 to 4 weeks). Continuous long term use is not recommended
unless advised by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how long to take the medicine for.
How to take SOMIDEM
Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water, unless your doctor has told you
to take half a tablet.
If you take SOMIDEM on an empty stomach it may work faster.
If you forget to use SOMIDEM
If you forget to take SOMIDEM before you go to bed, and you wake up late in the night
or very early in the morning, do not take it. You may have trouble waking at your
normal time.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor.
If you use too much SOMIDEM
If you think that you have used too much SOMIDEM, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much SOMIDEM, your consciousness may be impaired, ranging from drowsiness
to light coma.
5. What should I know while using SOMIDEM?
Things you should do
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking
SOMIDEM.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking SOMIDEM.
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or
dentist that you are taking this medicine.
If you become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant while you are taking SOMIDEM,
stop taking it and tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
have any of the serious side effects listed in section 6
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using SOMIDEM.
Things you must not do
Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to. This can
increase the risk of side effects.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not drink alcohol before or after taking this medicine. This can increase the risk
of side effects or the effects of alcohol could be made worse while taking SOMIDEM.
Things to be careful of
If you are over 65 and unwell or taking other medicines. You may be more sensitive
to some of the side effects of SOMIDEM. Some patients may be particularly susceptible
to the sedative effects of this medication, which may increase the possibility of
a fall.
SOMIDEM can cause drowsiness and a decreased level of consciousness. Keep SOMIDEM
in a safe place to protect it from theft. It may be used illicitly for criminal action
(which could be dangerous), particularly in combination with alcohol, when given without
knowledge of the victim. Never give your SOMIDEM to anyone else because it may harm
them.
After taking SOMIDEM
Sleep medicines should, in most cases, be used only for short periods of time. If
your sleep problems continue, consult your doctor.
Some medicines can cause dependence, especially when they are used regularly for longer
than a few weeks. People who have been dependent on alcohol or other drugs in the
past may have a higher chance of becoming addicted to sleep medicines. If you have
been addicted to alcohol or drugs in the past, it is important to tell your doctor
before starting SOMIDEM.
Sometimes when medicines are stopped suddenly, after being used for a long time, withdrawal
symptoms may occur. Symptoms of withdrawal may include abdominal and muscle cramps,
vomiting and sweating. In some cases, your insomnia may appear worse for a short time
which may be accompanied with other reactions including mood changes, anxiety and
restlessness; speak to your doctor if this occurs. Patients taking part in trials
have not had any problems when they stopped taking SOMIDEM. However, let your doctor
know if you have any problems when you stop taking SOMIDEM.
Driving or using machines
Because SOMIDEM will make you sleepy, you should not operate dangerous machinery or
drive motor vehicles for 8 hours after you take it. You should also be careful the
next morning when you wake up.
Make sure you know how you react to SOMIDEM before you drive a car or operate machinery.
This is very important if you are taking other drugs that also make you drowsy.
Drinking alcohol
You should not drink alcohol while you are taking SOMIDEM.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Alcohol may increase the risk of side effects or the effects of alcohol could be made
worse while taking SOMIDEM.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets
out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking
SOMIDEM.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Allergic reactions:
swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing
or breathing
hives
fainting
Sleepwalking and associated behaviours:
sleep walking, driving motor vehicles and other unusual, and on some occasions dangerous,
behaviours whilst apparently asleep. These have also included preparing and eating
food, making phone calls or having sexual intercourse. People experiencing these effects
have had no memory of the events.
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Alcohol can increase the risk of sleep walking and other related behaviours. These
side effects can also occur without the presence of alcohol.
Although these side effects can occur at the usual recommended doses, the risk of
these behaviours occurring may also be increased if you take more than the recommended
dose.
Some sleep medicines may cause short-term memory loss. When this occurs, a person
may not remember what has happened for several hours after taking the medicine. This
is usually not a problem since most people fall asleep after taking the medicine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What SOMIDEM contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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zolpidem tartrate 10 mg
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose monohydrate
microcrystalline cellulose
pregelatinised maize starch
magnesium stearate
Instacoat Universal White A05G13783
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Potential allergens
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lactose
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What SOMIDEM looks like
SOMIDEM is a white to off-white, capsule-shaped breakable tablet, marked "ZM break
line 10" on one side and "G" on the other side (AUST R 119196).
Who distributes SOMIDEM
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in February 2024.
SOMIDEM® is a Viatris company trade mark
SOMIDEM_cmi\Feb24/00