Zolpidem has quickly become one of the most prescribed drugs in the world since its introduction. More commonly known as Ambien, it is one of the few drugs for anxiety and insomnia which is not part of the benzodiazepine family. It has both advantages and disadvantages over benzodiazepines, and the amount of people using it demands a closer look at Zolpidem.
Generally offered in 5mg and 10mg doses, Zolpidem is prescribed for the short term treatment of insomnia and anxiety. The effects are similar in most cases to that of benzodiazepines, but Zolpidem is chemically different and some of the effects are quite different as well. While Diazepam (Valium) is sometimes used to control spasms and seizures, Zolpidem cannot be used for this purpose as the amounts required for this effect are far more than is required for sedation; and curing convulsions through perpetual sleep is hardly an attractive option. Other than the treatment of insomnia there is some recent evidence which shows Zolpidem has been effective in reviving patients from a persistent vegetative state, more research into this is needed before it is approved for widespread use for this purpose.
As with anything you would ingest, you should check that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. Even if you are not allergic to Zolpidem, allergic reactions like rash and hives have been known to occur. The use of Zolpidem is counter indicated for pregnant or nursing mothers, people with ADHD, people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse as well as people with a history of depression. Like benzodiazepines, Zolpidem can be damaging to the liver and kidneys, and anyone with a condition of either of these organs should most likely avoid Zolpidem. Any sort of lung disease could also be negatively affected by its use. Zolpidem interacts with many other drugs, and you should tell your doctor about any other medications you may be taking.
You should never exceed more than 10mg per day of Zolpidem, whether it is in the form of a controlled release tablet or not. An overdose of Zolpidem can occur more easily than many people think and is often fatal. The same drug used to treat overdoses of benzodiazepines, Flumazenil, can also be used to treat an overdose of Zolpidem. The most common side effects of Zolpidem are confusion, memory loss, sore throat, headache and muscle pain though some patients experience sudden personality change, aggression and hallucination. It is also very common to feel groggy, disoriented and hung over the morning after taking Ambien; this can make you a danger if you are driving or operating machinery. Addiction to Zolpidem has proven to be a persistent problem in the short amount of time that it has been available, and dependency is an issue as well. Insomnia often becomes much worse once one stops taking Zolpidem and shakes, headaches, cold sweats and other effects are common of Zolpidem withdrawal.
For all of these reasons it is rare for Zolpidem to be prescribed for longer periods of time, though it is undoubtedly happening more and more. Like all strong prescription sleep medications there are alternatives to Zolpidem. Many of us have become accustom to using prescription drugs to cure problems that simple lifestyle changes could easily help, and drugs like Zolpidem which were designed to be used in the most severe cases of anxiety and insomnia are being taken by people who have lost a few hours of sleep on one or two consecutive nights. Though many people are skeptical and hesitant to try natural remedies, a healthier diet, more frequent exercise and less caffeine and nicotine may be all that is required. If you can specifically identify the cause of your anxiety, you have most likely identified the cause of your insomnia and cognitive thinking and possibly therapy may be all that is needed to deal with it. Besides all of that, if you still require additional help in dealing with insomnia a herbal supplement can calm the nervous system without the harsh side effects or drug interactions. Unlike Zolpidem and other drugs prescribed for insomnia there are no herbal supplements for insomnia which result in addiction or serious dependency issues.