Ambien Pictures and Information

Ambien, also known by the name Zolpidem, is a drug that is commonly prescribed for sleep problems. It acts very quickly, and within 15 minutes after taking it, most people feel very drowsy. It is related to other drugs that have a calming effect on the nervous system, like Valium.

Ambien comes in a few different dosages. At the 10mg dose, it is often found as a white pill that looks like these Ambien pictures: http://images.medscape.com/pi/features/drugdirectory/octupdate/SEA54210.jpg. The 5mg dose has a peach color: http://images.medscape.com/pi/features/drugdirectory/octupdate/SEA54010.jpg. There are also generic forms of Ambien, however, so the appearance may vary slightly.

Ambien came about as the end product of a long search for sleep aids that don't produce next-day grogginess. Over-the-counter sleep aids have been available for a long time, and many have been shown to be effective. Most people who take them, however, report that the day after taking them they feel tired and out of focus. Ambien was made with the goal of developing a sleep aid that didn't cause this tired next day feeling.

It passed through clinical trials in 1991, and was available for prescription soon after. Ambien has always been a prescription-only drug, and its use is not completely devoid of concerns about addiction or health. In 2007, the original patent on Ambien ran out and generic forms of the drug were produced.

There are several concerns surrounding the use of Ambien. One major concern is that, when a person takes Ambien for a long period of time, it can result in tolerance. This might lead to the necessity of taking increased doses of the drug, and this in turn can lead to dependence on the drug. When someone becomes dependent upon Ambien, they may not even recognize the addiction until they try to stop using the drug. At that point they may experience something called rebound insomnia. This is an increased difficulty in falling asleep that occurs after stopping taking a sleep aid.

There are also physical withdrawal symptoms that can occur when stopping the use of Ambien. If used at high doses, sudden withdrawal can cause seizures, delirium, and other serious symptoms. The withdrawal can resemble that from other benzodiazepine-class drugs, like Xanax and Valium. To avoid these effects, the recommended usage of Ambien involves taking it for less than 12 weeks. It is recommended someone take Ambien 3 to 5 times per week (1 pill at a time). Studies have indicated that a 10mg dose is as effective as a higher dose, so increasing the dose past this ceiling seems to be ineffectual. It also can lead to a quicker progression to dependence.

If tolerance does occur, someone must be gradually weaned off of Ambien. This can take anywhere from weeks to months, depending on how often they take the drug. Detoxification is best managed by a medical professional, who will know best how to avoid the withdrawal effects of Ambien. If someone is having difficulty weaning off of Ambien, a doctor may substitute the drug with another benzodiazepine. Valium, for example, can be taken in the place of Ambien and the patient can slowly be weaned off of that. In serious circumstances, there are programs that allow for rapid detoxification, but these are rarely needed.

Ambien acts on the same receptors in the brain that alcohol acts on. Research has found that those who drink alcohol frequently may have an increased tolerance to Ambien as well. Thus, alcoholics should probably avoid taking Ambien. Although it is not thought to instigate drug seeking, former or current drug addicts also should probably avoid Ambien.

Doctors recommend that, when you take Ambien, you already be tired and in bed. There have been many case reports of people taking Ambien and sleepwalking or engaging in strange behavior that they don't remember the next day. This is best avoided by making sure you are already in bed and ready to sleep. Perhaps the strangest behavior that occurs after taking Ambien is eating binges - many have woken up to find they ransacked their kitchen while in a sleepwalking trance, and they don't remember any of it.

Ambien can be a very effective sleep aid. It, however, has some addition potential and should be used cautiously. Also be sure to take it when in bed and don't ever drive while under the influence of Ambien.