Modern life in USA is associated with chronic persistent stress, unfavorable ecology, disruption of diet, sleep and rest. These adverse factors cause the development of many pathological conditions. Often their first and only manifestations are symptoms of sleep disorders. The most frequent complaints encountered in various sleep disorders are:

• difficulty falling asleep
• discontinuity of sleep
• the superficial nature of sleep
• early awakening with inability to fall asleep again
• early awakening from sleep
• unsatisfactory quality of sleep
• lack of feeling of rest after sleep

When many patients consult doctors of various specialties, complaints of sleep disturbance are quite common, although they are not a reason to visit a doctor. Much less often, complaints of sleep disturbance come to the fore. Many doctors in their practice, without determining the true cause of the sleep disturbance, easily prescribe sleeping pills. However, it is known that sleep disturbance can be one of the manifestations of various diseases, physiological and pathological conditions, as well as a consequence of medication. This should be taken into account when choosing a method of corrective therapy. The high frequency of self-treatment and over-the-counter sale of some sleeping pills, which not only may aggravate the clinical situation, but also contribute to the risk of serious adverse reactions, should also be taken into account.

The indication for pharmacotherapy of sleep disorders is the persistence and duration of these disorders, which significantly impair quality of life. Pharmacotherapy is carried out when the recommendations on the adherence to a regimen and general hygienic measures are ineffective.

Recently, Ambien (Zolpidem) has been quite often prescribed to patients with sleep disorders by doctors of various specialties. However, practice shows that data concerning its safety are not always taken into account. The main problem with the drug treatment of insomnia with Ambien (Zolpidem) at the moment is not so much its lack of effectiveness, but rather the lack of safety of the drug treatment if it is used in violation of the instructions. Compliance with the requirements for the prescription and use of Ambien (Zolpidem) should not only help to reduce the risk associated with the drug, but also prevent its discrediting.

What is Ambien

Ambien (Zolpidem) is a short-acting sleeping pill. It improves the ability to fall asleep, increases the duration and improves the quality of sleep. It has sedative, slightly expressed anxiolytic, central myorelaxant and anticonvulsant effects.

Generic Ambien Availability

Zolpidem is a generic version of the sleep medication Ambien, which is also available in a longer acting form known as Ambien CR. Zolpidem (generic Ambien) is a medication used to treat insomnia. It can help you fall asleep and stay asleep during the night. Zolpidem is the brand name for Ambien. When your doctor prescribes zolpidem or Ambien for you, the prescription bottle is usually labeled zolpidem tartrate because the pharmacy dispensed a generic version of the drug. Like all generic drugs, Zolpidem has been shown in tests to be equivalent to Ambien. Therefore, there is no reason to be concerned about taking the generic version.

What is important to know before using Ambien?

When taking Ambien (Zolpidem), symptoms of somnambulism may appear - the patient may get out of bed in a drowsy state and perform various actions that he or she does not remember in the morning. Concomitant use of Zolpidem with sleeping pills, CNS depressant drugs, as well as in doses exceeding the maximum recommended, the risk of sleepwalking increases.

Activities that the patient may perform while drowsy include driving a car (drowsy driving), cooking and eating food, talking on the phone, having sex, taking walks, etc.

During treatment, caution should be exercised when driving motor transport and other potentially dangerous activities that require high concentration and rapid psychomotor reactions, as well as when drinking alcohol.

When prescribing the drug to patients with concomitant depressive states it is necessary to consider a possibility of increasing suicidal tendencies.

Ambien is not intended for use in children under 18 years of age.

Exceeding the dosage of the drug is contraindicated, as it may be associated with the risk of serious adverse effects.

Ambien is addictive when taken for a long time.

Special attention should be paid when prescribing Zolpidem for elderly patients, because the occurrence of adverse reactions in them is more frequent than in patients in other age groups.

Ambien should not be taken for more than 4 weeks. If the symptoms of sleep disturbance persist, the patient should consult a physician, because these may be symptoms of various diseases.

Who should not take Ambien and why?

• Patients with a history of allergic reactions to Ambien (Zolpidem) and its components.
• Patients with depressive disorders, mental illness, suicide attempts.
• Patients who use alcohol and narcotic drugs.
• In patients with kidney and liver disease.
• Respiratory system disorders.
• Pregnancy or planning pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding.

The attending physician must be necessarily informed about all medicines, vitamins and herbal preparations that the patient uses, because they can interact with each other, leading to undesirable consequences.

Ambien (Zolpidem) should not be taken together with the following medicines: Benzodiazepines, antidepressants, opiates, barbiturates, narcotic analgesics, antihistamines and sedatives, some anti-cough drugs, neuroleptics, clonidine.

Take Ambien with caution with the following medicines: With some antibiotics (Erythromycin, Rifampicin, Clarithromycin). With antifungal drugs, such as Ketoconazole.

How do I take Ambien?

Ambien (Zolpidem) should be taken just before going to bed. You should not take Zolpidem if you cannot stay in bed for more than 7-8 hours. In order for Zolpidem to work faster, it should not be taken during or immediately after meals. The patient should consult a doctor if:

• Symptoms of insomnia have worsened or remain unchanged. The occurrence of insomnia may be due to other factors.
• When using the drug in a higher dose than prescribed by the attending physician.
• Adverse reactions have occurred.

Ambien (Zolpidem) should not be used without a prescription. It is not recommended to give Zolpidem to other persons, even if they have similar symptoms of sleep disturbance. It may harm their health.

What adverse reactions can occur when taking Ambien?

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Asthenia
• Nausea, vomiting
• Ataxia
• Feeling of intoxication
• Euphoria
• Lethargy
• Sinusitis
• Diplopia
• Visual disturbances
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin itching

Before prescribing Zolpidem, the physician should: Warn the patient about any possible adverse reactions. Find out from the patient whether he/she takes alcohol, narcotic drugs, and other medications. Observe the dynamics of changes in the symptoms of sleep disorders. Cancel the drug in case of its ineffectiveness and side effects. Systematically control the correctness of taking the drug and its dosage.

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