What Is Ambien?
Ambien is a trademarked name for a medication called Zolpidem, which slows down the central nervous system, allowing patients suffering from insomnia to sleep through the night. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration labels medications in this category as "sedative-hypnotic drug" because of the propensity of users to perform motor tasks in a "trance" after taking the drug, such as sleep-walking or "sleep driving."
Ambien is available only through a doctor's prescription and comes in three forms: tablet, extended-release tablet (Ambien CR), and nasal spray. The use of Ambien should be restricted to extremely short periods of time, typically one or two days and no longer than two weeks.
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Common Side Effects
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The most common side-effect of Ambien is marked drowsiness and lack of mental alertness, even after a patient awakes after a long night's sleep.
Less Frequent Side Effects
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The use of Ambien may result in a host of less common symptoms that are not life threatening but that may be disconcerting to a patient. Some of these symptoms include stomach and/or bladder pain; appetite disorders, including binge-eating; abnormal sensations of movement and difficulties with balance; confusion and memory difficulties; cloudy or bloody urine and/or difficulty urinating; constipation or diarrhea; changes in acuity of hearing and vision; dry mouth; hives, rashes or welts; nightmares; and feelings of fear, depression or discouragement.
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Symptoms Warranting Medical Attention
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Some patients may exhibit intolerance to Ambien that requires a physician's attention. These symptoms may include clumsiness/unsteadiness, confusion and depression. Additionally, some patients who take Ambien perform daily activities while still "asleep." That may include driving, having sex, talking on the phone or eating. More rarely, symptoms of intolerance to Ambien may result in dizziness, falling or fainting; excessive nervousness; hallucinations; swelling in the facial area; or wheezing and difficulty breathing. Emergency treatment is required in cases of an overdose. Symptoms of overdose include extreme clumsiness or dizziness, slow heart rate, double vision, severe nausea and vomiting, and difficulty or inability to breathe.
Contraindications With Other Drugs
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It's always risky to combine Ambien with other prescription medications, but some more so than others. Always inform your physician if you are taking other prescription drugs so she can ascertain the possibility of contraindication or increased side-effects from the use of Ambien. The use of Fospropofol (brand name Lusedra) with Ambien is not recommended, and if a patient is taking both medications, a physician may opt to alter the dosage of one or both drugs. Drugs that increase the risk of Ambien's side-effects include: Bupropion, Desipramine, Ketoconazole, Rifampin, Sertraline, and Venlafaxine.
Alcohol should be avoided when taking Ambien.
Ambien & Other Health Concerns
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A patient should discuss his medical history with a physician, as there are certain conditions that increase the risk of certain side-effects or make Ambien use dangerous. Such conditions include chronic lung disease such as asthma or bronchitis, depression, myasthenia gravis, sleep apnea, or kidney or liver disease. Patients with a current or past history of substance abuse may develop a dependence on Ambien.
How to Use Ambien
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Ambien should be used in strict accordance to a doctor's guidelines and never longer than the time for which it is recommended. Ambien should be taken only when a patient can get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep; a patient whose sleep cycle is interrupted before a full-night's sleep may suffer from extreme drowsiness, dis-coordination and may feel mentally unaware. Because of its rapid effects, patients should take Ambien just prior to retiring and avoid activities that require motor coordination and mental acuity.
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