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This page presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the FDA-approved drug label. A report submitted to FAERS does not prove a drug caused the reported event. Always consult a healthcare provider about medications.

Zolpidem (zolpidem tartrate)

Last updated: June 19, 2026
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Zolpidem is the brand name for zolpidem tartrate. According to the FDA-approved label, Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets has been shown to decrease sleep latency for up to 35 days in controlled clinical studies [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. FAERS contains 132,963 submissions naming this drug from 2001 through 2026; the top three reactions cited are drug ineffective, nausea, and fatigue.

Most-Reported Reactions

Counts of the reactions most often cited in FAERS submissions that named Zolpidem. Inclusion here does not establish causation - submitters describe what was observed, not what was confirmed. One submission can list several reactions, so the totals exceed the report count.

DRUG INEFFECTIVE 8,611 (6.5%) NAUSEA 8,463 (6.4%) FATIGUE 8,222 (6.2%) PAIN 6,429 (4.8%) INSOMNIA 6,288 (4.7%) HEADACHE 6,275 (4.7%) DIARRHOEA 5,907 (4.4%) FALL 5,589 (4.2%) ANXIETY 5,478 (4.1%) DIZZINESS 5,246 (3.9%) DYSPNOEA 5,220 (3.9%) VOMITING 4,923 (3.7%) DEPRESSION 4,513 (3.4%) ASTHENIA 4,484 (3.4%) COMPLETED SUICIDE 4,275 (3.2%)

Patient Demographics

Patient sex and age across the FAERS submissions that named Zolpidem. Percentages here are computed only from submissions where these fields were filled in - many leave them blank.

By Sex

Female Male Unknown

By Age Group

0-17 18-44 45-64 65+

Severity Outcomes

Severity flags recorded across the 132,963 FAERS submissions that named Zolpidem. Each bar shows the count of those reports carrying that flag. A single case can carry more than one (a hospitalization that became life-threatening, for example), so these bars are independent rates - they don't sum to 100%. Inclusion of a case under any flag does not establish that the drug caused the outcome.

DEATH 15,910 (12.0%) HOSPITALIZATION 45,761 (34.4%) LIFE-THREATENING 6,074 (4.6%) DISABLING 3,697 (2.8%)

Submissions Per Quarter

Quarterly count of FAERS submissions that named Zolpidem. Ups and downs on this chart can track prescribing volume, news cycles, or shifts in how reports get filed, rather than the drug becoming safer or more dangerous.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

From the FDA-Approved Label

Excerpts from the official FDA-approved prescribing information for Zolpidem. This is the authoritative source on indications, warnings, and known adverse reactions.

Indications

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets has been shown to decrease sleep latency for up to 35 days in controlled clinical studies [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were 4–5 weeks in duration with the final formal assessments of sleep latency performed at the end of treatment. Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator, is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. ( 1 )

Adverse Reactions (from label)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Complex Sleep Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] CNS-depressant effects and next-day impairment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Abnormal thinking and behavior changes [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Withdrawal effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Most commonly observed adverse reactions were: Short-term (<10 nights): Drowsiness, dizziness, and diarrhea Long-term (28-35 nights): Dizziness and drugged feelings ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ACI Healthcare USA, Inc. at 1- 888-802-1213.or www.acihealthcareusa.com or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment Approximately 4% of 1,701 patients who received Zolpidem at all doses (1.25 to 90 mg) in U.S. premarketing clinical trials discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. Reactions most commonly associated with discontinuation from U.S. trials were daytime drowsiness (0. (continues in label)

FDA label effective date: 2023-11-16

Disclaimer

AdverseEvent.ai is not affiliated with the FDA. Adverse-event counts come from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Drug labels come from the FDA drug label dataset. A report submitted to FAERS does not prove a drug caused the reported event — always consult a healthcare provider about medications. This site is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.