Ambien is a hypnotic drug from the group of imidazopyridines used in many modern sleeping pills. In terms of effectiveness, it is a benzodiazepine analog, has a very short half-life, and is not a source of pharmacologically active metabolites. It is quickly absorbed by the body, with maximum plasma concentrations achieved in approximately two hours. There are reports of the paradoxical effect of zolpidem on patients in certain comatose states, in which people are conscious but cannot move or speak. In some of these patients, after taking zolpidem, there was a temporary restoration of motor activity up to the ability to speak, eat, and walk.
| Drug Name: |
Ambien Zolpidem |
| Tablet Package: |
10 mg |
| Available Packages: |
30, 60, 90, 120, 160, 200, 250, 300 pills |
| Best Price: |
$2.85 |
| Payment Method: |
VISA, MASTERCARD |
| Shipment: |
Express Delivery Service |
| PRESCRIPTION: |
Not Required |
| Where To Buy Ambien? |
VISIT PHARMACY |
Indications
Ambien is prescribed for the treatment of insomnia that is situational and transient, including frequent awakenings from sleep and difficulty falling asleep.
Pharmacological properties
The drug is similar in pharmacological activity to benzodiazepines and has muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, amnestic, and anticonvulsant effects.
The action of the drug is based on specific agonism with central omega receptors (benzodiazepine receptors type I and II) - macromolecular GABA receptor complexes that cause the opening of neuronal anion channels for chlorine.
Interaction with central type I benzodiazepine receptors (omega-1) occurs selectively, which makes the sedative effect noticeable at lower doses than necessary to achieve other (muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, amnestic) effects.
Reduces the time to fall asleep and reduces the number of night awakenings, prolongs the duration of sleep, and improves its quality. The duration of stage II sleep and deep sleep of stages III and IV increases, there is no effect on the duration of the REM sleep phase.
Pharmacokinetics
At therapeutic doses, the pharmacokinetics of Ambien remain linear.
After oral administration, bioavailability is about 70%, the maximum plasma concentration of 92% occurs 0.5-3 hours after administration.
The drug does not induce liver enzymes.
Side effects
The most common side effects of Ambien are drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and gastrointestinal problems. Between 15% and 20% of patients taking this drug experience memory problems, nightmares, and confusion. Isolated cases of sensory disturbances and psychotic symptoms have been reported while taking zolpidem. In particular, delusions, hallucinations, and distortion of sensory perception may develop. Amnesia, including sleep-associated bulimia, is more common with this drug.
Patients taking Ambien should be monitored for adverse reactions, as zolpidem use may be a potential precipitant in cases of uncharacteristic gratuitous violence, which may be accompanied by psychosis, amnesia, and confusion.
The following factors increase the risk of side effects when using zolpidem: female gender, advanced age, taking zolpidem at a dose of 10 mg or higher, and simultaneous use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Directions for use and dosage
Ambien is taken orally, immediately before bed, with liquid, for a short period of time after meal.
Patients using Ambien should expect to be able to get 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Doses and duration of treatment are determined by the attending physician. You must strictly follow your doctor's instructions and do not exceed the dose of Ambien prescribed by your doctor.
The highest daily dosage for adults is 10 mg, to be taken before bedtime. In the case of elderly patients (those aged over 65), debilitated individuals, and patients with liver failure, the starting dose is 5 mg. If deemed necessary due to an insufficient clinical response and the medication is well-tolerated, the dosage can be escalated to 10 mg.
The treatment duration should not extend beyond 4 weeks. For transient insomnia, the recommended treatment course lasts 2 to 5 days, whereas for situational insomnia, it spans 2 to 3 weeks. When the treatment duration is short, there is no need for a gradual tapering off of the medication.
In case of long-term use of the drug, to reduce the possibility of developing rebound insomnia, zolpidem should be discontinued gradually (first reducing the daily dose and then discontinuing the drug).
Special instructions
If insomnia persists for 7-14 days despite treatment, it suggests the potential presence of underlying primary mental disorders and/or nervous system disorders. To accurately identify and address these conditions, it is essential to evaluate the patient's status routinely.
To reduce the risk of developing anterograde amnesia, patients should have conditions for uninterrupted 7-8 hours of sleep.
When used, mental and behavioral (including paradoxical) reactions may occur; the risk of development is higher in older patients. If such reactions occur, the drug should be discontinued.
After a course of taking it for several weeks, there may be some reduction in the sedative and hypnotic effects of the drug. Use (especially over a long period of time) can lead to the formation of physical and/or mental dependence, the risk of which increases with increasing dose and duration of treatment, as well as in patients with a history of abuse of alcohol or other drugs and non-drug substances. Such patients should be closely monitored during treatment.