Insomnia Treatment


Order Ambien (Zolpidem) Online


Medication: Zolpidem (brand name: Ambien)
Dosage: 10 mg
Price per pill: starting at $3.60

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Ambien (Zolpidem)

Ambien exhibits both sedative and anti-seizure properties, facilitating quicker sleep onset and reducing nocturnal awakenings. Additionally, it extends the duration and enhances the quality of sleep, primarily prescribed for insomnia management.

Its mechanism of action bears resemblance to benzodiazepines, encompassing hypnotic, amnesic, anti-seizure, anxiolytic, and sedative effects.

Following ingestion, Ambien's active substance reaches peak blood concentration within 30-180 minutes, with nearly complete binding to plasma proteins. Its bioavailability stands at approximately 70%.

Metabolism predominantly occurs within hepatic tissue, yielding three inactive metabolites.

Roughly half of these metabolites are excreted through urine, while around 40% are eliminated via feces. The drug's half-life typically spans 150 minutes, although this duration may extend up to 10 hours in patients with severe liver impairment.

Notably, Ambien can permeate into breast milk.

Usage Guidelines

The medication is to be taken orally once daily before bedtime, with the standard dosage set at 10 mg.

For elderly patients, the initial dose is reduced to 5 mg, with the option to escalate to 10 mg if deemed necessary. The maximum daily intake of Zolpidem is capped at 10 mg. 

Patients encountering transient insomnia are recommended to use the medication for 2-5 days, whereas those grappling with situational insomnia should adhere to a treatment period of 14-21 days.

In cases where the treatment duration spans only a few days, discontinuation of the drug can be abrupt.

However, if Ambien has been used for over a week, it is prudent to taper the dosage to mitigate potential adverse reactions gradually. The treatment course should not extend beyond 4 weeks.

Potential Adverse Reactions

In the majority of cases, the medication does not elicit undesirable effects. Nonetheless, some patients may experience:

  • Drowsiness, headache, paradoxical insomnia, agitation, and nightmares.
  • Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
  • Anterograde amnesia (with a risk proportionate to dosage) and vertigo. 

Less common side effects include:

  • Irritability, dysphoria, unusual behavior, and potential for drug dependency.
  • Hepatic disorders, elevated liver enzymes, and muscle weakness.
  • Confusion, aggression, and sleepwalking.
  • Skin rash, urticaria, itching, excessive sweating, and angioedema.
  • Decreased libido, ataxia, susceptibility to drug dependency, and diplopia.

Contraindications

The medication is contraindicated in the following scenarios:

  • Severe or acute respiratory failure
  • Sleep apnea
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Allergy to Ambien or other benzodiazepines
  • Pediatric patients
  • Severe kidney and liver diseases
  • Lactose intolerance

Patients with depression, substance use disorders, alcohol dependency, or other forms of addiction should exercise heightened caution when using the medication.

Special Instructions

Patients with respiratory and liver disorders should follow extreme caution when using the medication.

Throughout the treatment period, refrain from participating in potentially hazardous activities requiring heightened concentration, such as driving or operating machinery at elevated heights.

Ambien has the potential to amplify the effects of other central nervous system depressants.

Should insomnia persist beyond 7-14 days of treatment, reassessment of the patient's condition is necessary, as prolonged sleep difficulties may stem from underlying mental health disorders.

It is advisable to abstain from driving or engaging in tasks necessitating heightened focus during Ambien therapy.

Certain individuals, particularly senior patients, may experience atypical mental responses and behavioral disturbances, warranting immediate cessation of treatment. Patients with liver ailments may experience accumulation of the primary active ingredient in the body, leading to adverse outcomes.

Elderly patients should approach medication use cautiously due to their heightened susceptibility to muscle relaxation and sedation, which may precipitate falls and injuries.

During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The impact of the medication on pregnant women remains unstudied. However, research conducted in rats has demonstrated teratogenic effects associated with Ambien.

Consequently, the use of this drug is not advised for pregnant individuals. Furthermore, Ambien has been observed to pass into breast milk, albeit in minimal quantities.

As a precautionary measure, women are advised to discontinue breastfeeding while undergoing treatment.

Clinical Presentation of Ambien Overdose:

The administration of elevated doses of Ambien can result in various adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, confusion, anterograde amnesia, and faintness. Ambien has the propensity to prolong stages III and IV of sleep and infrequently leads to tolerance, rebound insomnia, or addiction.

Nonetheless, there exists insufficient data regarding the long-term abuse and tolerance development associated with Ambien.

Some patients have reported instances of chronic abuse, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and hallucinations linked to Ambien usage. In two documented cases, patients exhibited psychotic symptoms commencing approximately 30 minutes following the ingestion of 10 mg of Ambien.

These symptoms persisted for less than 30 minutes, with patients displaying no recollection of the events upon awakening.

Overdose Effects

The typical outcomes of an overdose include coma, pinpoint pupils (miosis), and respiratory depression.

Additionally, individuals may experience drowsiness, dizziness, and vomiting. Notably, in one case, ingestion of 39 Ambien pills did not induce coma, despite assistance being sought six hours later.

Patients have reported tremors in the hands, extremities, and around the mouth, along with muscle cramps, myoclonus, double vision, stomach and abdominal discomfort, and dysphagia. Withdrawal from the drug may precipitate epileptic seizures.