Effects of Ambien

There are millions of people around the world who suffer from insomnia as well as other poor sleeping habits. Ambien-zolpidem tartrate is among the most commonly prescribed drug for short term treatment of insomnia. The drug promotes relaxation through affecting chemicals in the brain to offer a sense of calm and drowsiness. Ambien is a federally controlled drug as it can be abused or even cause dependence. Ambien only is available through a physician's prescription and comes in 3 forms, tablet, nasal spray as well as Ambien CR. The drug is only prescribed for no longer than 2 weeks. Taking the drug for longer amount of time could result in numerous potentially psychological and physiological problems.

Ambien effects are virtually immediate, so one should be ready for bed when they take the drug. While Ambien is among the more widely prescribed sleeping drug in use today, most people including medical professionals treat it as fairly harmless drug. Ambien side effects are in most cases fairly serious and sometimes even life threatening.

Less common side effects

The use of Ambien can result in a number of less common effects that may not be life threatening but are disconcerting to the users. Some of these effects include appetite disorders, encompassing binge-eating, stomach and/or bladder ache; abnormal feelings of movement and balance difficulties; confusion and memory problems; bloody urine or difficulty urinating; diarrhea; changes in keenness of hearing and vision;, dry mouth; rashes or welts; hives nightmares and feelings of dread, depression or discouragement.

Long term side effects

One of the common affects of long-term use of the drug is amnesia effect. People who have been using Ambien for long periods of time have no reminiscence of conversations that took place after they used the drug. It is always a great idea to be with the patient around, since there have been instances of patients going for a drive and later having no memory of it. The same experiences involving phone conversations, computer use, and eating episodes have also occurred.

Symptoms warranting medical help

Some patients might show intolerance to the drug that needs a doctor's attention. These symptoms might include confusion, depression, and clumsiness or unsteadiness. Moreover, some patients who use Ambien carry out daily activities even while still asleep. These activities may include driving, cooking, cleaning the house, or talking on the phone. More rarely, symptoms of intolerance to this drug could result in dizziness, fainting; hallucinations; swelling, nervousness; or wheezing and shortness of breath. Immediate treatment is needed in cases of overdose. Overdose symptoms include clumsiness or dizziness, double vision, slow heart rate, relentless nausea and vomiting, and inability to breathe.

Allergic reactions

Ambien can also cause severe or even life-threatening reaction in people who are allergic to any of the elements. In such instances, emergency help may prove necessary should any effects of allergic reactions occur.

Ambien with other drugs

It is extremely dangerous to combine Ambien with other medications, but some are even more dangerous than others. Inform your doctor if you are on other prescription drugs so that he can ascertain if there is any possibility of contradiction or increased side effects. The following prescriptions can increase Ambien's side effects; muscle relaxants, anti seizure medication, narcotic pain reliever, anti-anxiety drugs, and psychiatric medications.

The patient should be sure to have the doctor review his medical background, particularly if the patient has ever had liver or kidney problems, drug dependency or depression or sleeping apnea. Expectant mothers should not take Ambien since a small quantity of Ambien may pass through to the child in uterus and also through breast milk.

Withdrawal symptoms

Long term use of Ambien can result in a number of symptoms when the patient attempts to withdraw from the drug. Most of these symptoms are painful and might cause the users to give up and return on the drug. The longer one uses the drug, the worst the withdrawal process. Withdrawal from ambient may cause nausea, sweating, fatigue, stomach ache, unpleasant sensations, panic attacks, vomiting irritability, tremors and seizure. It is difficult for the doctor to tell the patient ahead of time what symptoms he may experience. The patient should withdraw from Ambien gradually under the care of the physician.