Efficacy and safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia disorder for one month: a meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial

A meta-analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial was used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia disorder for one month. Searched from PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and web of science from inception to May 13, 2021. In addition, we also searched ClinicalTrials.gov trials register to obtain relevant research and related data. Include all randomized controlled trials that meet the criteria. The primary efficacy outcome were total sleep time and sleep latency. The secondary outcome was wake-time after sleep onset. And to evaluate the safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia. Total of 6 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 1068 patients with insomnia disorder were included in our study. Our analysis results showed that compared with placebo, zolpidem treatment for one month was more effective in increasing the total sleep time of patients with insomnia disorder, reducing sleep latency and improving sleep quality. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in the amount of change in the wake after sleep onset. Meanwhile, there was no significant statistical difference in adverse events between Zolpidem and placebo after one month of treatment. Our meta-analysis showed that zolpidem is an effective and safe therapy option to treat insomnia disorder for one month. However, when using zolpidem to treat insomnia, its effect on sleep structure should be considered. In the future, large-scale clinical trials are needed to compare the effectiveness and safety of zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia from subjective and objective indicators combined with zolpidem on sleep structure. •This study focuses on the safety and efficacy of using zolpidem to treat insomnia disorder for one month.•Zolpidem is an effective and safe therapy option to treat insomnia disorder for one month, especially in elderly patients.•Zolpidem can increase TST and decrease SL in patients with insomnia, and whether to maintain sleep is yet to be determined.