The Effectiveness and Side Effects of Zolpidem for Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most common illnesses that people are struggling with. It generally impacts your sleep, and that ultimately causes so many problems. There are so many ways to cure insomnia and a lot of medications. However, the most prescribed one is Zolpidem, which has a long-term effect on the body and mind, making you fall and stay asleep. Also, there are so many positive points of using Zolpidem, but like other drugs, it has side effects that cannot be neglected. Let’s know how Zolpidem works for insomnia and what facts one must understand before using Zolpidem.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a common sleep illness in which people find difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Insomnia is also when you wake up too early and not being able to go back to sleep. Even after awakening, you might still feel tired, impacting your mood, energy levels, work productivity, overall health, and quality of life. The amount of sleep that an adult needs varies from person to person. It is generally recommended that individuals aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night to promote optimal health and well-being. It can be a single condition or may be associated with other health problems.

Long-term insomnia can be because of so many factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or other medical conditions. It can also be a result of poor sleep hygiene, irregular sleep schedules, and unhealthy habits like consuming caffeine or alcohol before bedtime.                    

Before going ahead, we must know what are the possible causes of insomnia.

The common causes of insomnia may include stress, travel or improper work schedules, poor sleep habits, eating habits, and some medical conditions or medications. When we are stressed, we think a lot (Overthinking). This can be because of any reason, like worries about work, school, health, finances, or family, making it difficult to fall asleep. Some traumatic life events can also disturb your sleep and lead to insomnia.

Our internal body clock, called circadian rhythm, also plays a vital role in regulating our sleep patterns. It controls essential functions like sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and body temperature. Disturbance in any of these rhythms can result in insomnia. Another important factor that contributes to insomnia is jet lag from traveling across different time zones, working late or early shifts, or frequently changing shifts. All this can easily affect our circadian rhythms and contribute to insomnia. Also, poor sleep habits like having an irregular bedtime routine, taking naps, engaging in stimulating activities before bed, sleeping in an uncomfortable environment, and using the bed for work and eating play equally important roles in the cause of insomnia.

Furthermore, using electronic devices such as computers, TVs, video games, or smartphones before bedtime can disrupt our sleep cycle. Overeating food before bed can also cause insomnia. All these are some of the most common reasons behind insomnia. If you are not following a proper lifestyle, you must change it, or you will suffer.

What is Zolpidem?

The brand name of Zolpidem is Ambien. It is one of the best medicines for the short-term cure of insomnia. Zolpidem is a prescription-based drug. It belongs to the sedative-hypnotic class of drugs, which function by slowing down brain activity to allow sleep. The FDA approved Zolpidem in 1992 for the treatment of insomnia. The quick-dissolving forms of zolpidem, including Ambien, Edluar, and Zolpimist, are designed to assist with falling asleep. Intermezzo, on the other hand, is intended to aid in returning to sleep if you awaken during the nighttime and find it difficult to fall back asleep. Ambien CR, the extended-release version of Zolpidem, consists of a fast-dissolving layer to promote falling asleep and a slow-dissolving layer to support staying asleep.

How does Zolpidem work for insomnia?

We well know that Zolpidem comes under the class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. It works by impacting the chemicals in the brain. It works for such reason that it is unbalanced in people suffering from insomnia. In general, it enhances the activity of the neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a chemical messenger that inhibits brain activity, promoting calmness and relaxation.

It is seen that when Zolpidem binds with the GABA receptors, it enhances the soothing effect of GABA and makes you fall asleep. In general, it has been seen that Zolpidem starts working within 15-30 minutes of intake, making it effective for people who have trouble falling asleep. It is generally specified for short-term use, generally not exceeding a few weeks, because longer use can lead to dependence and decreased effectiveness.                                

Effectiveness of Zolpidem for Insomnia

Zolpidem is effective for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Its effectiveness arises from its ability to improve the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is a neurotransmitter that slows down your brain activity, promoting relaxation and sleep. According to the studies, it is clearly shown that Zolpidem reduces sleep latency (time taken to fall asleep) and increases the duration of sleep. The medicine is very effective in the starting hours of the night, which is best for those who find it harder to fall asleep.

Patients usually report significant improvements in their sleep quality and duration of sleep within a few or usually from the first night of sleep. Zolpidem is available in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations. The immediate-release form helps users fall asleep quickly, while the extended-release form is designed to help maintain sleep throughout the night.

The time it takes to reach peak effectiveness can depend on the formulation of the drug, ranging from slightly over 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. The presence of food can extend the time it takes to reach peak effect. The duration of the effect also varies depending on the formulation, with immediate-release tablets lasting 6-8 hours. The duration of a Zolpidem prescription is usually 2-4 weeks. This is because of its tolerance and potential withdrawal symptoms.                                 

Side Effects of Zolpidem

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction to Zolpidem, such as hives, problem breathing, or swelling of the face or facial regions like lips, seek immediate medical assistance. There have been reports of people using Zolpidem engaging in activities like driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex without later remembering the activity. If this occurs, discontinue using Zolpidem and contact your doctor immediately.

Some of the serious side effects of Zolpidem may include:

• Difficulty in breathing,
• Feelings of anxiety, depression, restlessness, and hostility,
• Disorientation, seeing or hearing things that are not there,
• Issues with memory, abnormal thoughts or actions,
• Suicidal thoughts or                           
• Feeling dizzy, as if you might faint.

Common side effects may include:

• Experiencing drowsiness during the day, feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or “drugged“;
• Having a headache;
• Suffering from diarrhea or
• Feeling fatigued.

Remember that the common side effects are only visible when you can not achieve sleep of 7 to 8 hours.

These are some side effects, but the list is incomplete. This means that you can suffer from others during the treatment. If you find these side effects getting worse, discontinue the use of medicine and consult with an expert.

Risk-Benefit Analysis

Zolpidem can help with sleep, but extended-release versions may affect physical and mental abilities the following day. It can also lead to risky sleep-related behaviors such as “sleep-driving,” especially when taken in high amounts or if combined with alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness.                               

The drug carries so many risky factors. You can definitely develop dependence and tolerance against this medicine, but it will reduce its effectiveness over time and cause potential withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue the use.

There are so many side effects of improper use of Zolpidem that can be dangerous. It is important to use the medicine properly for the prescribed duration to avoid side effects and maintain the effectiveness of the medicine. 

Conclusion                                        

Sleep is something that plays a vital role in our lives. Our life is incomplete and messy without proper sleep. If we do not sleep, we can not work well for the next day, and our productivity will gradually decrease, impacting our work performance. If you or any of your close ones are suffering from insomnia, then you must seek professional help immediately. Overall, we can say that Zolpidem is very effective for short-term use. It works great for insomnia treatment if used correctly and without misuse.

We will suggest you use Zolpidem under the supervision of an expert. This will help you avoid unwanted side effects, and your physician will also monitor your progress and guide you with the best.