Is Ambien safe for long-term use?

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Ambien is not safe for long-term use and should only be prescribed for a maximum of 6 weeks, but ideally, less than that. But some people find they can’t sleep without Ambien or they develop a habit of using Ambien after using it for recreational reasons. These people should be aware of certain hazardous health and psychological effects that may occur with long-term use.

Ambien can affect sleep cycles

Ambien causes sedation, by slowing down your brain, but this is not the same as sleep. Studies have shown that hypnotics, such as Ambien, reduce the time spent in REM sleep and increase the time spent in non-REM, short-wave sleep. REM sleep is important for strengthening emotional memory details and there is some evidence that Ambien enhances the durability of negative memories which may not be helpful for conditions such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Ambien is addictive

When Ambien first came onto the market it was described as being a less addictive alternative to benzodiazepines. But even though Ambien is not a benzodiazepine, it acts in a similar way to them, which is by targeting receptor cells in the brain that respond to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). So it is not surprising that it can be habit-forming. Ambien is available as a quick-release form that initiates sleep and a controlled-release form that has two layers – the first dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep the second dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep. Either can lead to addiction problems. Research has identified key findings that indicate Ambien has a high risk of causing addiction, for example:

Long-term use of Ambien can cause physical side effects

The following problems are common among people who take Ambien long-term:

Ambien can increase your risk of falls or make you drowsy the next day

People who take hypnotics, such as Ambien, have a higher risk of falls or head injuries than others who don’t, especially if they are older. Ambien can cause daytime drowsiness and the use of Ambien and other sedatives can double the risk of a car accident or other serious injuries.

Ambien can cause withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation

Withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person but most people discontinuing Ambien require medical detox especially if they are at risk of convulsions or seizures. Older adults, those with coexisting medical or psychiatric conditions, and those who have been using Ambien longer are more at risk of severe symptoms.

The most common withdrawal symptoms of Ambien addiction include:

Ambien can act as a stimulant in long-term users (rather than being sedating) and these people are likely to suffer severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, restlessness, agitation, tremors, and seizures when they try to stop it.

Ambien use and alcohol are a deadly combination

The Drug Abuse Warning Network reported that a large percentage of ER cases involving Ambien and alcohol ended in either the intensive care unit or the hospital morgue. In many, the patient never regained consciousness. Those that did survive had long-term issues with concentration and focus, as well as periods of severe disorientation and confusion. Taking Ambien with alcohol makes the user even more prone to dependency and addiction.