Overview of Ambien -- One of the More Popular Sleep Aids in America

Ambien, also known by its generic name 'Zolpidem' is a sedative, as well as a hypnotic, and is used for the treatment of insomnia. Ambien affects chemicals in a persons brain (by producing a calming effect) that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems. While not a true Benzodiazepine, Ambien's hynotic effects are very similar to those of the benzodiazepine class. Ambien begins working very quickly (usually within 15 minutes), so it is best to take it right before bed. Ambien is used as a short-term treatment that should last about 1-2 weeks.

* Ambien may be used for purposes other than those listed in this article.

Ambien has side-effects, as does most medications, so if you experience any of the following side effects below, do not be alarmed, although you can talk to your doctor to possibly lessen the side effects:

- Daytime Drowsiness, Dizziness, Weakness, feeling "Drugged" or Light-Headed
- Lack of Coordination
- Amnesia, Ability to Forget Certain Things
- Vivid or Abnormal Dreams
- Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting
- Headache, Muscle Pain
- Blurred Vision

If one experiences any of the following side effects below, call your doctor right away, as Ambien can cause serious allergic reactions including: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat:

- Experiencing Less Sleep
- Depression, Suicidal Thoughts
- Unusual Risk-Taking Behavior, No Fear of Danger, Decreased Inhibitions
- Feeling Aggressive or Agitated
- Hallucinations, Confusion, Loss of Personality

There may be other side effects that are not noted above while Ambien, be sure to contact your doctor if you experience anything that is not on this list.

While Ambien is non-narcotic, there is still the potential for abuse. If one continues taking the medication after the doctor has told them to stop, they can develop a tolerance to the drug. If one takes more than the recommended dosages, then the problem of coming off of the drug can be a lot harder than normal. Ambien can cause perceptual changes, visual distortions, light-based hallucinations, and euphoria, which is why people abuse the drug. Ambien is supposed to be used to fall asleep, but if one "fights" the urge to go to sleep, they will start to feel the effects of the drug, which include vivid visuals and a relaxing body high.

One should not take more than 10 mg's of Ambien per day, as this is the recommended max dosage. If one decides to continue using the drug past the doctor's orders, or increases the dosage so they could increase the drug's effects, they can suffer through withdrawal, which include the following symptoms below:

- Loss of Personal Identity
- Major Confusion
- Strange Behavior
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Worsening of Depression
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Insomnia (ability to fall asleep)
- Major Anxiety
- Aggressive Behavior

While many people taking Ambien can experience some or a lot of these side effects while using the medication, it can be tough to figure out if one is really suffering through withdrawal symptoms. Be sure to contact your doctor if you feel that you are experiencing Ambien withdrawal symptoms.

Ambien is a very good drug, if it is used properly, and many people choose it over other competing drugs. One of the major reasons for choosing Ambien over other sleep aids is that it doesn't cause a bitter (metallic) taste in someone's mouth. Other competing sleep aids have the tendency of causing this problem, which does go away eventually. Ask your doctor if you are a prime candidate for the distribution of Ambien.