Skip to main content
Psychedex
Facts label

Zolpidem Facts

Depressant; Hypnotic; Sedative; Imidazopyridine; GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 5 mgLight5 – 10 mgCommon10 – 20 mgStrong20 – 40 mgHeavy40+ mg

Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 4 – 7 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 6 hours

Also recorded: Sublingual. See full page: psychedex.org/substances/zolpidem

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Moderate
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Severe · medical supervision
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Slow
Fully resets after
Not recorded
Carries over to
benzodiazepines; zopiclone; zaleplon; alcohol

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 6 possible, including Visual acuity suppression, Vestibular distortion, Visual haze / noise
Body
Sedation; Physical fatigue; +4 possible, including Motor control impairment, Dizziness
Thinking
Cognitive impairment; +13 possible, including Analysis suppression, Decision impairment, Information processing suppression
Feeling
none likely · 2 possible
Self
none likely · 1 possible
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Prior complex sleep behaviors on zolpidem; Severe hepatic impairment; Pediatric use; Known hypersensitivity to zolpidem
Relative
Severe respiratory insufficiency; Obstructive sleep apnea; Myasthenia gravis; Active substance use disorder; Pregnancy; Breastfeeding; Elderly

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (1)
Opioids
Dangerous (21)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Local anesthetics; Naltrexone; SNRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; MAOIs; NSAIDs; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); Poppers, Nitrates
Caution (26)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/zolpidem
Not graded (12)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Extreme drowsiness — can't stay awake or be roused
  • Confusion, slurred speech, severe loss of coordination
  • Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
  • Unconsciousness / unresponsive; limp, floppy body
  • Blue lips or fingertips
  • Vomiting while sedated (choking / aspiration risk)
  • Cold, clammy skin; weak pulse

What to do

  1. Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
  2. If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
  3. Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
  4. Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
  5. Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
  6. Do not give other drugs, stimulants, or more depressants

Most depressant overdoses resolve with airway protection, breathing support, and monitoring. The danger is respiratory depression and choking on vomit — sharply worse when combined with opioids or alcohol. GHB/GBL overdoses often involve sudden deep unconsciousness and may self-resolve, but airway protection is essential.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/zolpidem · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout