[The use of zolpidem in the treatment of acute and chronic insomnia].

The pharmacological features and practice of using the benzodiazepine receptor agonist zolpidem are analyzed. The issues of definition and clinical significance of insomnia in medical practice and the grounds for choosing a class of hypnotic drugs for its treatment are discussed. The main pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of zolpidem are described. The data of studies on its effect on subjective and objective sleep parameters, safety and side effects, features of administration to different groups of patients and long-term use (up to 12 months) are presented.