> Avoid prolonged use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter); depression; elderly; history of alcohol abuse; history of drug abuse; muscle weakness; myasthenia gravis
> Zolpidem is recommended for the short-term management of severe insomnia that interferes with normal daily life, and should be prescribed for short periods of time only.
Looking at it now it seems it was marketed as less addictive/habit forming than the alternatives. My recollection may have been wrong about what was published at the time. However given my perpetually sleep deprived state back then a lot of memories are less precise than I’d like.
I don't know who the "they" is there, but the manufacturers don't say this, and the people who recommend its use don't say it either.
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/zolpidem-tartrate.html
> Avoid prolonged use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter); depression; elderly; history of alcohol abuse; history of drug abuse; muscle weakness; myasthenia gravis
> Zolpidem is recommended for the short-term management of severe insomnia that interferes with normal daily life, and should be prescribed for short periods of time only.