Ambien (Zolpidem Tartrate) - Summary

AMBIEN SUMMARY

Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class and is available in 5 mg and 10 mg strength tablets for oral administration.

Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. Ambien has been shown to decrease sleep latency for up to 35 days in controlled clinical studies [see Clinical Studies].

The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were 4–5 weeks in duration with the final formal assessments of sleep latency performed at the end of treatment.

See all Ambien indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Ambien (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

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Ambien (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.

more studies >>

Reports of Suspected Ambien (Zolpidem) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (36),  Insomnia (35),  Somnambulism (26),  Road Traffic Accident (23),  Suicide Attempt (21),  Pain (20),  Completed Suicide (20),  Intentional Overdose (17),  Somnolence (17),  Stress (17), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Ambien review by 45 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		insomnia
Dosage & duration:		10 mg taken one to two times a week for the period of ongoing
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Occasionally I have a difficult time falling asleep and sleeping through the night. When I take this medicine I fall asleep within 15 or so minutes and am able to sleep 7 or 8 hours. My sleep seems undisturbed and uneventful. When I wake up in the morning I awake completely alert and energized.
Side effects:		I did not experience any treatment side effects.
Comments:		I have been taking this medication for occasional insomnia for over one year now. I will continue to take this medication to treat my insomnia for as long as my physician prescribes it for me.

Ambien review by 59 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		inability to fall asleep easily
Dosage & duration:		5mg taken 2-3 times week for the period of 1 yr
Other conditions:		fibromyalgia
Other drugs taken:		wellbutrin
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I have a background of worry and stress-related symptoms where I am unable to wind down at the end of the day. With this drug I am able to fall asleep within 30 minutes
Side effects:		Depending on how late I go to bed, and how early I get up in the morning, sometimes would wake up groggy. I would need at least 7-8 hours of sleep to not get groggy.
Comments:		1/2 of a 10 mg pill as needed. Purposely would take it sparingly due to any addictive issues. Some doctors believe it is truly addictive; others not so. But I believe in as few drugs as possible in my life. I am also very afraid of any type of addiction. Therefore, I opt to split the pill in half and only take it 2-3 times a week.

Ambien review by 28 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		insomnia
Dosage & duration:		10mg taken 1 pill for the period of 1 before bedtime
Other conditions:		depression anxeity
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		none
Side effects:		none
Comments:		i went to my doctor because i was getting only 4 hours of sleep a night for the past 6 days, so he gives me one pill, yes that's right just one 10mg pill. anyways i took it at 10pm and its now 4:30 in the morning and i still cant sleep which is why im here to review this. and i have to been into work by 6am aaaaarrrgh!