Zolpidem is a prescription sleeping pill, commonly known by the brand name Ambien. This drug is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, usually no more then seven to ten days. This drug is usually prescribed to those that have difficulty with sleep initiation, or trouble falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
The effects of Zolpidem can be quite rapid, so you will want to take the drug only when you are immediately able to go to sleep. Adverse side effects, like memory loss, have been recorded in those that stay awake after taking Zolpidem.
How Does Zolpidem Work?
Zolpidem is known as a non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic. It works by specifically targeting GABA receptors in the brain, which then depresses activity in certain areas of the central nervous system or CNS. This allows those parts of your mind and body that are having a hard time shutting down, to release and relax.
Is Zolpidem an Effective Sleep Aid?
Zolpidem has been shown to be very effective in helping to initiate sleep. It has not been found to help much for those that wake up frequently during the night, or who wake up too early in the morning. Only those that have trouble initially falling asleep at night seem to benefit from taking this drug.
Side Effects of Zolpidem
Some of the side effects that have been associated with the use of Zolpidem include:
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drugged feeling
- Unsteadiness
- Balance problems
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain or tenderness
- Changes in appetite
- Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Unusual dreams
- Dry mouth or throat
- Ringing, pain, or itching in the ears
- Eye redness
- Muscle aches or cramps
- Joint, back, or neck pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
The following side effects are considered much more serious. You should call you doctor if you experience:
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
Zolpidem has also been shown to be addictive and habit-forming, especially if taken for an extended period of time. Withdrawal symptoms have also been known to occur in some when they stop taking the drug.
Final Word on Zolpidem
Zolpidem has been proven to be effective at initiating sleep, but not very effective when faced with the other problems that are common for insomnia sufferers. So if you have problems with staying asleep the whole night or waking up too early, you are pretty much out of luck.
People have been known to sleep walk and do activities that they don’t remember when taking this drug. A friend of mine actually hallucinated and set her bed on fire while taking Zolpidem to help her sleep! With such a long list of side effects and potential dangers involved, I would look first at all natural alternatives. There are many available that have been shown to be effective without all the risks!
