Ambien CR (Zolpidem Tartrate) - Summary

AMBIEN CR SUMMARY

Ambien CR contains zolpidem tartrate, a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class.

Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets) is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance (as measured by wake time after sleep onset).

The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were up to 3 weeks (using polysomnography measurement up to 2 weeks in both adult and elderly patients) and 24 weeks (using patient-reported assessment in adult patients only) in duration [see Clinical Studies].

See all Ambien CR indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Ambien CR (Zolpidem)

Insomnia Quiz: What Is Insomnia?
Source: MedicineNet Sleep Specialty [2017.09.19]
Title: Insomnia Quiz: What Is Insomnia?
Category: MedicineNet Quiz
Created: 6/6/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2017 6:44:12 PM

20 Tips to Beat Insomnia and Sleep Better
Source: MedicineNet Sleep Aids And Stimulants Specialty [2017.07.26]
Title: 20 Tips to Beat Insomnia and Sleep Better
Category: Slideshows
Created: 10/1/2014 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/26/2017 12:00:00 AM

Insomnia
Source: MedicineNet Hyperthyroidism Specialty [2017.05.12]
Title: Insomnia
Category: Symptoms and Signs
Created: 7/28/2006 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/12/2017 12:00:00 AM

Insomnia (Symptoms, Causes, Remedies, and Cures)
Source: MedicineNet Biorhythms Specialty [2017.04.19]
Title: Insomnia (Symptoms, Causes, Remedies, and Cures)
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 6/6/2005 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/19/2017 12:00:00 AM

Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, and More
Source: MedicineNet modafinil Specialty [2016.08.22]
Title: Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, and More
Category: Slideshows
Created: 7/23/2010 2:39:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 8/22/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Published Studies Related to Ambien CR (Zolpidem)

Efficacy and safety of a polyherbal sedative-hypnotic formulation NSF-3 in primary insomnia in comparison to zolpidem: a randomized controlled trial. [2013]
insomnia... CONCLUSIONS: NSF-3 is a safe and effective short-term alternative to zolpidem for

Novel sublingual low-dose zolpidem tablet reduces latency to sleep onset following spontaneous middle-of-the-night awakening in insomnia in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, outpatient study. [2013]
to sleep after MOTN awakenings... CONCLUSIONS: 3.5 mg ZST used as needed significantly reduced latency to return to

Improved insomnia symptoms and sleep-related next-day functioning in patients with comorbid major depressive disorder and insomnia following concomitant zolpidem extended-release 12.5 mg and escitalopram treatment: a randomized controlled trial. [2011.07]
CONCLUSIONS: Zolpidem extended-release administered concomitantly with escitalopram for up to 24 weeks was well tolerated and improved insomnia and some sleep-related next-day symptoms and next-day functioning in patients with MDD but did not significantly augment the antidepressant response of escitalopram. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00296179. (c) Copyright 2011 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

The use of a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic sleep-aid (Zolpidem) in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction: a randomized controlled clinical trial. [2011.05]
PURPOSE: Previous studies have addressed post-operative pain management after ACL reconstruction by examining the use of intra-articular analgesia and/or modification of anesthesia techniques. To our knowledge, however, no previous studies have evaluated the effect of zolpidem on post-operative narcotic requirements, pain, and fatigue in patients undergoing outpatient arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this prospective, blinded, randomized, controlled clinical study was to evaluate the effect of zolpidem on post-operative narcotic requirements, pain, and fatigue in patients undergoing outpatient arthroscopic ACL reconstruction... CONCLUSION: Adding zolpidem to the post-operative medication regimen after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction helps to lower the amount of narcotic pain medication required for adequate analgesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Randomized controlled clinical trial, Level I.

Zolpidem and zopiclone impair similarly monotonous driving performance after a single nighttime intake in aged subjects. [2011.04]
RATIONALE: Although hypnotics are primarily used by older people, the residual effects the morning after a single nighttime intake of the two most commonly prescribed hypnotics, zolpidem (Zp) and zopiclone (Zc), on older middle-aged drivers have not been evaluated and compared... CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study revealing residual effects of Zp on driving performance in ageing drivers which are similar to that of Zc. Studying the effects of medication in different age ranges appears useful to complete the studies on behavioural-pharmacological effects of medication. To reduce the incidence of driving accidents due to prescription drugs, patients should be warned at the time of treatment initiation that they should avoid driving.

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Reports of Suspected Ambien CR (Zolpidem) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (10),  Somnambulism (9),  Road Traffic Accident (8),  Drug Abuse (6),  Abnormal Behaviour (6),  Amnesia (6),  Intentional Overdose (5),  Product Quality Issue (5),  Prostate Cancer (5),  Headache (4), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Ambien CR review by 33 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		insomnia
Dosage & duration:		10mg taken periodically for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:		stress
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		much improved sleep without waking in the middle of the night.
Side effects:		none really. Maybe groggy but not terribly.
Comments:		Took 1 pill at bedtime

Ambien CR review by 46 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		insomnia
Dosage & duration:		12.5 mg. taken daily for the period of 4 years
Other conditions:		anxiety
Other drugs taken:		seroquel
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Immediate ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. No side effects in the morning.
Side effects:		I have to take the drup on an empty stomach. Very bad side effects if taken with alcohol. Taken alone, side effects were increased night eating and loss of memory after taking the medication. If you do not go to sleep immediately you may drive or do things without using good sense.
Comments:		Treatment is 12.5 miligrams for an indefinate period of time.

Ambien CR review by 30 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		insomnia
Dosage & duration:		6.5 (dosage frequency: 1 per night) for the period of 2 nights
Other conditions:		none known
Other drugs taken:		aciphex
		Reported Results
Benefits:		None. It didn't help me sleep. I was cranky the next day, depressed, and tired.
Side effects:		I took it for 2 days. The third day I didn't take it. Which was tonight. I keep waking up because my subconsious is terrified of something. I keep hearing things in my sleep. I am terrified to go back to sleep. My heart is pounding from the horrible things I keep hearing in my sleep. I never had this until taking this medication. I think I may miss a day of work tomorrow from not being able to sleep. I wish someone was here with me so I wouldn't be so afraid to go back to sleep but the sounds I keep hearing are so terrifying.
Comments:		My doctor gave me some samples for insomnia.