Ambien Side Effects (Zolpidem)
Ambien Side Effects Though Not Severe, Still Exist
Zolpidem (Ambien) is a prescription drug used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (sleeping pill).
It works quickly (usually within 15 minutes) and has a short half-life (2-3 hours), but will
last longer in patients with hepatic failure. Some trade names of zolpidem are Ambien®,
Stilnox® Stilnoct®, or Myslee®. Its sedative effects are similar to those of the
benzodiazepines, but it is actually classified as an imidazopyridine, and the anticonvulsant
and muscle relaxant effects only appear at 10 and 20 times the dose required for sedation,
respectively. However, it has never been approved for either muscle relaxation or
seizure prevention.
The patent on zolpidem is held by the French pharmacutical corporation Sanofi-Aventis.
Ambien Uses
Ambien is approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia, but it has been studied for
nightly use up to six months in a single-blind, open-label trial published in 1991, an
open-label study lasting 180 days published in 1992.
The United States Air Force uses Zolpidem under trade name Ambien as "no-go pills" to help
the pilots sleep after the mission.
Ambien is also used off-label to treat restless leg syndrome.
As is the case with many prescription sedative/hypnotic drugs, Ambien is sometimes used by
stimulant abusers to "come down" after the use of stimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine,
methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or pharmaceutical amphetamines.
Ambien Side Effects
Larger doses of Ambien can result in a variety of unwanted side effects: hallucinations,
delusions, poor motor coordination, euphoria
increased appetite, increased sex drive, poor judgement, and, following use, inability to remember
events that took place while under the influence of Ambien.
Some users
take Ambien recreationally for these side effects, however, it is not as common as with the
benzodiazepines because of its unique mental imagery (which can distract the user from reality
without actually producing genuine hallucinations) and irrational behaviour combined with the
amnesia. Accordingly, Ambien can also have the side effect of becoming psychologically addictive if taken for extended
periods of time, due to dependence on its ability to put one to sleep or to the unique sense
of euphoria Ambien can produce. Under the influence of Ambien it is common to take more Ambien
than is necessary due to forgetting that one has already taken a pill. Ambien users are advised to
keep additional Ambien away to avoid this side effect risk.