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What Are The Side Effects Of Ambien?
Posted on
Sun, 8 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 8 Mar 2015
Answered on
Mon, 6 Apr 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I am 70, have been taking Ambien for 12-14 years daily. First prescribed by my orthopedic doc for swollen knee from sports. Love it, no side effects, take 5-10 mg. Have been stuck occasionally without it, but no panic, just don't get to sleep. Keep reading regularly about it to keep updated. Love to go to bed knowing I will fall asleep. Yet everyone that posts seems to want to get off or has been having events. I am still teaching, a professor, busy mind. Are there effects happening I am not aware of? Thoughts?
Brief Answer:
risk of dependence, tolerance and withdrawal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,
Welcome to HCM.
Ambien contains active ingredient zolpidem which is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic and used to treat insomnia.
Everyone wants to get off it as it carries a risk of causing tolerance, dependence and withdrawal effects.
Since your are taking the same dose (5-10mg) form last 12-14 years, I dont think you have developed tolerance to it. Otherwise the dose requirement would have increased in this period.
But, as you are unable to sleep when you do not take ambien, this hints towards dependence.
It can also cause poor memory in some cases when taken for long term. But I think, you have also not developed that.
However, there are no other potentially serious side effects if taken within recommended dose (that is 5-10 mg).
In short, do not worry. If you feel ok and get a good night's sleep with 5-10mg of ambien, there is no harm.
Hope this clears your doubts.
I would be happy to answer if you have more queries.
Kindly close the discussion if you are satisfied with the response and give your valuable feedback.
Take care.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubha Mehta, Md (Psychiatry)
risk of dependence, tolerance and withdrawal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,
Welcome to HCM.
Ambien contains active ingredient zolpidem which is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic and used to treat insomnia.
Everyone wants to get off it as it carries a risk of causing tolerance, dependence and withdrawal effects.
Since your are taking the same dose (5-10mg) form last 12-14 years, I dont think you have developed tolerance to it. Otherwise the dose requirement would have increased in this period.
But, as you are unable to sleep when you do not take ambien, this hints towards dependence.
It can also cause poor memory in some cases when taken for long term. But I think, you have also not developed that.
However, there are no other potentially serious side effects if taken within recommended dose (that is 5-10 mg).
In short, do not worry. If you feel ok and get a good night's sleep with 5-10mg of ambien, there is no harm.
Hope this clears your doubts.
I would be happy to answer if you have more queries.
Kindly close the discussion if you are satisfied with the response and give your valuable feedback.
Take care.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubha Mehta, Md (Psychiatry)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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