What is Ambien?
Ambien is the brand name of medicine containing the active ingredient Zolpidem. It is a type of sedative or sleep aid and is often prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. Because of the risks associated with long-term use, particularly the risk of addiction, it is only used on a short term basis for no more than several days or more.
One benefit of Zolpidem is that you will experience its effects almost immediately. Take the drug on an empty stomach just before going to bed.
You can buy Zolpidem in the United States and Europe under many different brand names (Ambien is the most popular). These sleeping pills were created in 1991 and were extensively studied for 180 days.
In addition to its sleeping effect, the drug also has a hypnotic effect, directly affecting the brain’s chemicals.
Sleeping pills help reduce falling asleep, improve the duration and quality of sleep, and help you not wake up during the night.
Use this drug only after consulting with your physician, and if you do not have any contraindications.
Ambien (Zolpidem) Price
Dosage | Quantity | Price |
---|---|---|
10mg | 30 pills | $168.00 |
10mg | 60 pills | $308.72 |
10mg | 90 pills | $394.87 |
10mg | 120 pills | $481.03 |
10mg | 160 pills | $595.90 |
10mg | 200 pills | $679.18 |
10mg | 250 pills | $739.49 |
10mg | 300 pills | $753.85 |
What is Ambien (Zolpidem) Used For?
Ambien is used in case of the following short- or long-term sleep disorders:
- Difficulty falling asleep;
- Nocturnal and early awakenings.
Dosage
Adults under 65 years old should take no more thant 10 mg a day.
Persons over 65 years or patients with hepatic insufficiency are prescribed a dose of 5 mg a day.
The maximum daily dose is 10 mg.
The treatment time should be as short as possible - from a few days to maximum 4 weeks.
In the case of episodic insomnia, the duration of treatment is 2 to 5 days. In case of transient insomnia - 2 to 3 weeks.
Take the drug immediately before going to bed.
Side Effects
You may experience the following side effects after taking the drug:
- abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea;
- dizziness, balance disorder, ataxia, headache, daytime sleepiness, the distraction of attention, muscle weakness, amnesia;
- skin rash, itching.
Rare adverse reactions may include disorders of libido, development of addiction, the formation of mental and physical dependence (when using Zolpidem for weeks).
Overdose
Ambien overdose symptoms may include central nervous system depression, drowsiness. In more severe cases - ataxia, hypotension, respiratory depression, coma.
If you have taken an increased dose of Zolpidem and start to experience the side effects mentioned above, immediately seek medical help.
Contraindications
Avoid using Zolpidem in case of:
- severe respiratory insufficiency;
- nocturnal apnea;
- severe liver insufficiency;
- hypersensitivity to the drug components.
Children under 15 years of age should avoid using the drug.
Avoid using the drug together with alcohol.
Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Do not use the drug in I trimester of pregnancy. Doctors recommend to use the drug in minimal dosages during III trimesters of pregnancy.
The concentration of Zolpidem in breast milk is low. Consider discontinuing breastfeeding if you are planning to use Zolpidem during this period.
Drug Interaction
Simultaneous use of opioid analgesics, cough medicines, barbiturates, antidepressants, sedatives, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, clonidine, neuroleptics, ethanol with Zolpidem may cause CNS depression.
Concomitant use of Zolpidem with clozapine increases the risk of collapse, circulatory and respiratory arrest.
Can You Buy Ambien (Zolpidem) Over The Counter?
It is not possible to buy Ambien over the counter in the US or Canada. You can buy Zolpidem only after your physician issue a prescription for this sleeping aid.
Another option is to try buying generic Ambien online. However, in this case, you are risking getting the fake or low quality drug.
The option of ordering Ambien online looks attractive when you need the drug overnight or the next day delivery. In this case, it is up to you to assess all the risks and benefits.
More About Side Effects
In addition to its sedative effect, the drug is capable of inducing sleepwalking.
As we know, sleepwalking is a particular form of disruption of natural nighttime sleep, accompanied by talking and walking.
Zolpidem has many side effects, and sleepwalking is one of them. In addition to sleepwalking, the drug allows you to perform habitual activities during sleep, such as eating, driving, and washing dishes.
According to studies of this drug, side effects are already observed after the drug’s first intake. After the initial drug intake, the resulting sleepwalking has a relatively healthy and natural type. A person can speak and answer the questions.
Once, a lawsuit was filed against the drug manufacturer by the victims who claimed that many things that happened in reality and their dreams disappeared from their memory after taking the medication.
The residual effects of the drug are expressed in drowsiness. In Australia, there was a case in 2007 where a young man fell off the balcony and died after taking this medicine.