Most people have bouts of insomnia and find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, but this issue is chronic for some individuals, impacting their ability to perform well at school or work. Ambien, a fast-acting sleep medication, can help these individuals fall asleep within 30 minutes of taking it, providing much-needed relief.

What Is Ambien?

Ambien is a brand-name sleep aid that contains the active ingredient zolpidem.[1] It works by binding to receptors in the brain — specifically gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A receptors) — that control your sleep-wake cycle.[1] It also suppresses the central nervous system (CNS), promoting drowsiness.[1]

This medication is FDA-approved to treat insomnia, though it may be prescribed for other uses off-label.[2]

Ambien Formulations: Immediate Release and Controlled Release

The prescription drug Ambien is available in two forms: immediate-release and controlled-release (extended release). Ambien IR and Ambien CR, respectively.[3] Regardless of the form, Ambien is rapidly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, although there are differences in peak concentrations.

How Long Does Ambien Take to Work?

Ambien immediate release reaches peak concentrations in 1.6 hours.[1] Ambien controlled release, on the other hand, reaches peak concentrations in 2 to 4 hours.[1] It takes approximately 2.8 hours for half of the controlled-release version to leave the system, and 2.5 hours for the immediate-release version to be eliminated from the system.[1]

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes individuals to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.[4] It can be short-term, resulting from stimulant medication or other stimulants, or long-term and linked to night shift work, chronic pain, or other health conditions.[5]

Other causes include:[5]

• Stress: Losing a job, a relationship, or a loved one can lead to a period of intense stress. People going through this may have trouble with eating, sleeping, and focusing.
• Anxiety: People who feel anxious may wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble dozing off to sleep.
• Overeating: Eating too much at night can cause indigestion and acid reflux, resulting in digestive discomfort and difficulty falling asleep.
• Sleep Apnea: This condition causes individuals to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. Unfortunately, this causes many complications, including insomnia and an increased risk of developing heart disease.
• Hormonal changes: Shifts in hormone levels as a result of pregnancy, menopause, or hypothyroidism can cause both short-term and long-term insomnia.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, you could be diagnosed with insomnia if you have difficulty sleeping for three or more nights per week.[6]

Signs of Insomnia

The most notable signs of insomnia are associated with sleep deprivation.

They include:[7]

• Slowed reaction
• Lack of coordination
• Irritability
• Headache
• Next day tiredness
• Crankiness
• Anxiety

People with insomnia have a higher risk of developing serious health complications, including heart disease and high blood pressure.

What Is the Average Dose of Ambien for Insomnia?

The average dose of Ambien IR for an adult woman is 5 mg once nightly, and 6.25 mg once nightly for Ambien CR.[8] The recommended Ambien IR dose for men ranges from 5 mg to 10 mg per night, and for Ambien CR, it ranges from 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg per night.[8]

Note: It is important to plan for a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep before taking Ambien. Taking Ambien when you will sleep less than this may reduce its effectiveness and cause daytime drowsiness, along with other risky sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking.

What Are the Side Effects of Ambien?

Commonly reported side effects of Ambien are extreme drowsiness and sleepiness. However, some individuals taking the medicine may experience one or more of the following side effects:[9]

• Hallucinations
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Loss of coordination
• Problems balancing
• Impaired motor skills
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose

Anyone experiencing the following serious side effects should contact a medical professional immediately:[10]

• Eye pain
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Faster or irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty walking
• Trouble speaking
• Unusual weakness
• Shakiness
• Fever or chills
• Anxiety
• Bloody stools
• Hyperventilating
• Deep breathing
• Nausea
• Cold sweats

What Are the Side Effects of Ambien Toxicity?

Taking more Ambien than prescribed may lead to an overdose.

Adverse effects of an Ambien overdose include:[10]

• Cognitive impairments
• Respiratory depression
• Cardiovascular depression
• Profound drowsiness
• Coma

The latter is more common in individuals who combine Ambien with other CNS depressants such as alcohol or a prescription benzodiazepine.

Individuals suffering from an Ambien overdose should receive medical care immediately to prevent long-term complications.

Treatment consists of a gastric lavage, administration of flumazenil, and IV fluids.[1] Additional treatments may become necessary if other substances were involved in the overdose.

Can Ambien Use Lead to Addiction?

Yes, using Ambien can lead to addiction, especially with chronic misuse.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has classified it as a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, meaning that although it has an acceptable medical use, it also carries the risk for potential abuse and misuse.[11] Both increase the risk of developing an addiction.

How Does an Ambien Addiction Occur?

When someone uses sleep medicine Ambien in a way other than prescribed (drug misuse), they will become tolerant to its effects over time.[12] This means they will need more of the medication to experience any of its original effects.[13]

After tolerance sets in, you may develop a physical dependence on the medication.[14] Without it, you will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms until you reinitiate use. Unfortunately, at this stage, you will crave the medication or think about using it often. This is the start of a substance use disorder.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, a person displaying these behaviors along with an inability to quit despite wanting to, engaging in risky behavior to obtain or use more, and missing out on important activities due to drug use may have a more severe form of a substance use disorder — a full-blown addiction.[15]

Note: Misusing medications like Ambien can result in a fatal overdose even before a tolerance occurs. This is due to its ability to suppress the central nervous system (CNS).

Is Ambien Addiction Dangerous?

Yes, an addiction to Ambien is dangerous and can result in life-threatening complications. If you or someone you know has an addiction to Ambien, contact your healthcare provider for help weaning off the medication. This can help you avoid experiencing severe withdrawal.

Next, contact a drug rehab center like Engage Wellness Missouri for help avoiding a relapse or overdose. We provide an array of programs to help you uncover the root cause of your addiction, pinpoint behaviors that lead to Ambien abuse, and discover ways to counter these behaviors with healthier alternatives.

If you’re unsure about where to start on your path to recovery, contact us for a complimentary consultation. We can help you determine the right approach to treatment and explain how our programs can help you reach your goals.

Reduce your overdose risk and restore your health — reach out to us today.

Frequently Asked Questions