Drug General Information (ID: DDI51XLRWP)
Drug Name			Zolpidem		Drug Info		Ethanol		Drug Info
Drug Type		Small molecule				Small molecule
Therapeutic Class		Anxiolytics/Sedatives/Hypnotics				Analgesics
Structure

Mechanism of Zolpidem-Ethanol Interaction (Severity Level: Moderate)
Additive CNS depression effects Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Drug Name		Zolpidem				Ethanol
Mechanism		CNS depression effects				CNS depression effects
Key Mechanism Factor 1
		Factor Name		CNS depression effects
		Factor Description		CNS depressants are drugs that inhibit or suppress brain activity and can reduce mental and physical processes. Excessive CNS depression can lead to decreased heart rate, slow breathing (less than 10 breaths per minute), extreme confusion or loss of memory, nausea and vomiting, poor judgment, blue lips or fingertips, irritability and aggression, and clammy or cold skin.
Mechanism Description		Additive CNS depression effects by the combination of Zolpidem and Ethanol

Recommended Action
Management		Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled against driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References
1	Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information.".
2	Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics.".
3	Gilman AG, Rall TW, Nies AS, Taylor P, eds. "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 8th ed." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc. (1990):.