Ambien, also known as Zolpidem, is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. It is the most commonly prescribed drug for treating insomnia or other sleep-related problems. Ambien belongs to medicines known as sedative-hypnotics and has various street names including, zombie pills, no-go pills, or a-minus.
Mechanism of action
Ambien increases the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA-Gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain, which in turn inhibits the event in the brain. This results in feeling drowsy and calms the mind, enabling the person to sleep faster and better.
What is the recommended dosage?
Depending on the factors like your medical condition, gender, age, and your response to the treatment, your doctor would prescribe an appropriate dose. The prescribed dose is lower in women than men because the effects of this medicine last longer in women. 5 mg is the prescribed dose for women, and it is 5 or 10 mg for men. You need to ensure that your total dose does not exceed 10 mg per night. The recommended treatment period of this medication is usually limited to 1 to 2 weeks or even less.
Ambien and its availability
Ambien is available in two forms, including a quick-release form and an extended-release form. A quick-release way is prescribed to initiate sleep, whereas, for sleep maintenance, an extended-release form is recommended. You can get Ambien for sale in the form of tablets in the dose of 5mg and 10mg. You can even buy Ambien online.
Is Ambien dangerous?
A study revealed that about 8% of teenagers have misused or abused a prescription medication each year, out of which a sample of 17,000 youth aging from 12 to 17, 1.4% reported having misused Ambien within their lifetime. Ambien is prescribed for a short period, not longer than 1 to 2 weeks. It has habit-forming properties, and taking it for a more extended period may cause dependence. Signs of dependence or addiction may include headaches, muscular cramps or aches, shakiness, loss of coordination, hallucinations, change in appetite, and pain in the stomach. Therefore, dependence on Ambien can be dangerous.
Side effects of Ambien
Relaxation, sedation and drowsiness agitation, altered judgment, daytime grogginess, hallucinations, trembling, unexplained anxiety, mood swings, diarrhea, change in appetite, suicidal thoughts, confusion, aggressive behavior, light-headedness, headache, depression, are short term side effects of Ambien
In case of severe side effects like an allergic reaction, skin rashes, swollen tongue, face or lips or trouble breathing you need to call your doctor immediately