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Mel wrote: >I have been prescribed Zolpidem because of frequent insomnia.Does anyone >have any experience of this drug? > >Thanks > >Mel Ballantyne 59/13 selegiline, bromocriptine, sinemet ls, sinemet cr > Fife UK ZOLPIDEM or generic name (Ambien) was written up in the Lancet 26 April 1997. The drug is also called STILNOX, and is available in France. Italy and Swizterland. (When I last asked 1997, the drug was not available in Australia) It is a short term hypnotic for insomnia. In the Lancet report (which Joe Bruman listed here) it reported that in a 61 yr old woman who had had PD for 25 yrs, it improved her rigidity and akinesia substantially. She did not get drowsy. They continued with her 10 mg Zolpidem four times a day and DISCONTINUED HER PD MEDICATION. For the past five years her PD symptoms have been relieved without side effects. In a subsequent double blind trial on ten other PWP, six improved. They now suggest that Zolpidem may offer the pharmacological equivalent of posteroventral pallidotomy in a sub-group of patients. Zolpidem is a selective agonist of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric (GABA), mainly active in the basal ganglia. The suggestion that a GABA agonist might be helpful in PD appeared nearly 10 years ago but this is the first supporting evidence. ................................. MY further reading from an Australian drug index which pharmacists use says that: Z is an imidazopyridine which is reported to have similar sedative properties to the benzodiazepines (Diazepam) but minimal anxiolytic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties. Some degree of amnesia has been reported. (Maybe the lady referred to above just forgot she had PD! -- just joking to see how many of you read down to here...) Seriously now....Dose may need to be reduced in the elderly and those with renal disease or those with cirrhosis of the liver. Common adverse effects: dizziness, light headedness, sommnolence, heachache and gastro-intestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting. Minimal morning hangover effects. Joy Graham