Ambien
Zolpidem is the generic name for Ambien, Ambien CR, Stilnox or Zolfresh. It is a prescription medication that is used to treat insomnia. Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic which means that it is meant to be used as a short-term treatment, usually from 14 days to about 6 weeks. Zolpidem has also been used to help improve some brain disorders. Zolpidem works in the brain similarly to the way benzodiazepines or tranquilizers do, but with little muscle-relaxing or antiseizure effects.
Sleeping problems are often times a symptom of another underlying condition, either a physical or psychological illness may be the true issue. If you have tried Zolpidem for 7 – 10 days and are still having problems sleeping, you will want to give your doctor a call.
Some common side effects associated with the short term use of zolpidem can be:
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
More serious side effects will need a doctor’s attention, such as:
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Unusual dreams
- Appetite loss
- Nervousness
- Difficulty sleeping
If you have been using Zolpidem longer than necessary, you may experience some of these symptoms:
- Headache
- Feeling drugged
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Depression
- Muscle and joint pain
- Delusions
- Urinary infection
- Sinus irritation
- Dry mouth
These are all symptoms you may experience if you are using the drug as prescribed, or for a little bit longer. However, if you are abusing zolpidem or recreationally using it, you have entered into a whole other world. This drug can be crushed and snorted, smoked or injected. If injected, a dose of 5 mg can render a person unconscious in seconds. If zolpidem is taken with alcohol it will only intensify the effects of the drug. If zolpidem is taken with narcotics, antidepressants, or barbiturates may result in excessive sleepiness, breathing difficulties or excessive depression.
This is a sleeping pill, meant to help those struggling to fall asleep. However, for abusers, they will take the medication and then attempt to stay awake so they may experience a euphoric state or vivid visuals, almost hallucinations. They may lose their balance, seem confused and have short term memory loss. Or they may be found walking in their sleep. This can be a very dangerous state. In some cases one may take the medication, stay awake and begin talking or acting in a strange way, as if they are in some state of confusion. They may “look like” they are awake, but their behavior will be questionable, and the conversation may not make any sense. It is certainly a situation that could be considered hazardous to the individual or others around them. Under no circumstances should you attempt to drive or operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any sleeping medication.
If you have been taking sleeping pills for longer than 6 weeks, you will definitely want to go back to the doctor for another option.