Living in the modern metropolis is intertwined with enduring stress, poor environmental conditions, disrupted dietary patterns, and irregular sleep and relaxation. These adversities frequently contribute to the onset of numerous health issues, with sleep disorders often being the initial and sole indicators.

Common grievances associated with various sleep disturbances include:

• Difficulty initiating sleep
• Fragmented sleep patterns
• Shallow sleep
• Premature awakening followed by an inability to return to sleep
• Awakening too early with compromised sleep quality
• Absence of a feeling of rejuvenation post-sleep

Many patients frequently raise concerns about sleep disorders when consulting doctors across various specialties, even though these complaints may not necessarily warrant a doctor's visit. Less frequently, these issues are brought to the forefront. In their clinical practice, many doctors readily prescribe sleeping pills without thoroughly investigating the underlying cause of the sleep disturbance.

However, it's well-established that sleep disorders can manifest as symptoms of various diseases, both physiological and pathological, as well as being a consequence of medication. This consideration is crucial when determining the appropriate corrective therapy. Moreover, the prevalence of self-medication and the over-the-counter availability of certain sleeping aids should also be taken into account, as they can exacerbate the clinical condition and increase the risk of serious adverse reactions.

Pharmacotherapy for sleep disorders is warranted when these disturbances persist and significantly impair quality of life, especially when lifestyle recommendations and general hygienic measures have proven ineffective.

In recent times, doctors across various specialties have frequently been prescribing Ambien to patients with sleep disorders. Ambien is a short-acting hypnotic medication that enhances the ability to fall asleep, prolongs sleep duration, and improves sleep quality. It exhibits sedative, mildly anxiolytic, central muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects.

What you should be aware of before using Ambien

When taking Ambien, there's a possibility of experiencing symptoms of somnambulism – the patient may rise from bed in a drowsy state and engage in activities they won't recall in the morning. Sharing Zolpidem (Ambien) with other sleep aids or drugs that suppress central nervous system function, or taking doses higher than the recommended maximum, increases the risk of sleepwalking. Zolpidem is not suitable for use in individuals under 18 years of age.

It's crucial to avoid exceeding the prescribed dosage of Ambien as it could lead to serious adverse effects.

Prolonged use of Zolpidem can lead to dependency.

Extra caution should be exercised when prescribing Ambien to elderly patients, as they tend to experience adverse reactions more frequently compared to other age groups.

Ambien should not be taken for longer than four weeks. If symptoms of sleep disorders persist, patients should consult a doctor as they may indicate underlying health issues.

How to administer Ambien

Zolpidem should be taken just before bedtime. Do not take Ambien 10mgv if you cannot allocate at least 7-8 hours of sleep. To facilitate faster absorption, avoid taking Zolpidem during or immediately after a meal.

Patients should consult a doctor if:

• Insomnia symptoms worsen or persist unchanged. There may be underlying factors contributing to the insomnia.
• The medication is taken at a higher dosage than prescribed by the attending physician.
• Adverse side effects occur.

After completing a course of sleeping pill treatment, the following symptoms may persist for up to two days:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Nausea
• Hot flashes
• Dizziness
• Uncontrollable crying
• Stomach cramps
• Panic attacks
• Nervousness
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

Overdose

Symptoms of exceeding the maximum recommended dosage of the medication may manifest as central nervous system depression. Mild forms of consciousness disturbance may include lethargy and confusion, while severe cases may lead to profound consciousness disorders, potentially resulting in a comatose state. Overdosing on Ambien also poses risks of hypertension and respiratory depression.