AMBIEN contains zolpidem tartrate, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator of the imidazopyridine class. AMBIEN is available in 5 mg and 10 mg strength tablets for oral administration.
Chemically, zolpidem is N,N,6-trimethyl-2-p-tolylimidazo[1,2-a] pyridine-3-acetamide L-(+)-tartrate (2:1). It has the following structure.

INDICATIONS

AMBIEN (zolpidem tartrate) is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. AMBIEN has been shown to decrease sleep latency for up to 35 days in controlled clinical studies .
The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were 4–5 weeks in duration with the final formal assessments of sleep latency performed at the end of treatment.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Dosage In Adults

Use the lowest effective dose for the patient. The recommended initial dose is 5 mg for women and either 5 or 10 mg for men, taken only once per night immediately before bedtime with at least 7–8 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening. If the 5 mg dose is not effective, the dose can be increased to 10 mg. In some patients, the higher morning blood levels following use of the 10 mg dose increase the risk of next day impairment of driving and other activities that require full alertness The total dose of AMBIEN should not exceed 10 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. Ambien should be taken as a single dose and should not be readministered during the same night.
The recommended initial doses for women and men are different because zolpidem clearance is lower in women.

Special Populations

Elderly or debilitated patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of zolpidem tartrate. The recommended dose of AMBIEN in these patients is 5 mg once daily immediately before bedtime.

Dosage Forms And Strengths

AMBIEN is available in 5 mg and 10 mg strength tablets for oral administration. Tablets are not scored.
AMBIEN 5 mg tablets are capsule-shaped, pink, film coated, with AMB 5 debossed on one side and 5401 on the other.
AMBIEN 10 mg tablets are capsule-shaped, white, film coated, with AMB 10 debossed on one side and 5421 on the other.

5 Scary Effects of Ambien

• 1: Increases the chances of driving a car (sleep-driving)
  
  
  The FDA warns that after taking Ambien, you should not drive or engage in activities that require mental alertness. Many people take Ambien to help them sleep and the day after they wake up and drive to work. This is dangerous given that Ambien can impair a person’s ability to drive even after a full night’s sleep.
  
• #2: Sleepwalking
  
  
  It is not uncommon for people to do or say things that they wouldn’t normally do while on Ambien. One of the more serious side effects of taking Ambien is getting out of bed and not being fully awake. People report doing activities they weren’t aware of at the time, such as making food “sleep-eating” or talking on the phone.


• #3: Having sex
  
  
  Ambien lessens inhibitions and there are numerous reports of people having “Ambien sex.” Although having sex doesn’t sound like a “scary” fact to most, there are disturbing reports of Ambien being used as a date rape drug.


• #4: Ambien carries a risk for abuse
  
  
  If you have to continually increase your dosage to get the desired sedative effects of Ambien, you may have developed a tolerance to the drug. This can lead to physical dependence, which means that you need Ambien in your system in order to function.
  
  
  Many people who use Ambien to treat insomnia develop an addiction to the drug. If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ambien because the potential for abuse may be too high. According to a research study, 43 percent of people who developed an Ambien addiction had a previous history of substance abuse.


• #5: Withdrawal can be unpleasant
  
  
  If you have developed a dependence to Ambien, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from Ambien can be dangerous and result in seizures and/or delirium.