Can't recall the last time you got a relaxing night of tight sleep without awakening in the middle of the night?
You're not the only one.
Struggling to stay asleep for seven to nine hours indicates one of the most common sleep disorders, insomnia.
And while briefly waking up and immediately rolling over to fall back asleep isn't a big deal, experiencing multiple wakeups throughout the night or being unable to fall back asleep when your rest is interrupted is a problem.
After all, interrupted sleep means the quality of your sleep is suffering. And you'll undoubtedly feel this during the daytime. Ambien is one treatment doctors offer to make you fall asleep faster and stay asleep for a whole night without those disruptive wakeups. And Gabapentin is one treatment option for seizures/epilepsy.
Partial seizures can occur at any age as a single or repeated episode, accounting for almost 60% of all cases of epilepsy. During the Japan clinical trial, there was a 25% overall gabapentin responder rate, defined as the patients with ? a 50% decrease in seizure frequency.
This blog includes a detailed study of these two drugs, including their benefits, side effects, and interactions.
Zolpidem is a short-acting, non-benzodiazepine widely prescribed for the short-term management of insomnia. Zolpidem has a preferential affinity for GABA-A receptors containing the? 1 subunit. It is involved in the reduction of sleep latency and sleep maintenance.
Initially used as a muscle relaxant and anti-spasmodic, Gabapentin has been shown to have potential as an anticonvulsant and an adjuvant to more potent anticonvulsants. Additionally, it helps with certain types of neurological pain regulation.
Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic agent that acts on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a receptor chloride channel modulator/agonist that increases GABA inhibitory effects leading to sedation. It selectively binds to the ? 1 subunit of GABA-A receptors, which regulates sleep. Most of the regions of the brain contain high-affinity alpha-1 subunit-containing receptors that activate the hypnotic effects. The drug upregulates these receptors allowing for the soothing effects leading to the preservation of deep sleep.
Zolpidem is not recommended for the general population as a first-line treatment because of its high potential for abuse. Drugs like controlled-release Melatonin and doxepin may be used as the first-line therapy in addition to proper sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with insomnia.
Gabapentin does not impede GABA uptake or metabolism and has no direct GABAergic activity. Gabapentin appears to reduce the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in the presynaptic area by having a strong affinity for binding sites across the brain, corresponding to voltage-gated calcium channels.
Additionally, it decreases the excitability of brain neurons, which affects the transmission of pain signals and plays a part in seizures. Gabapentin mimics the soothing actions of GABA on overexcited neurons.
Studies suggest that by utilizing a model of occasionally disturbing sleep, low-dose Gabapentin (250 mg and 500 mg) can enhance objective and subjective measures of sleep in adults. Although the precise mechanism is unknown, it may be due to its well-characterized binding affinity to the voltage-activated calcium channel ?2? subunit and subsequent modulatory effects on neurotransmitter release.
According to a study by Darcourt G, zolpidem is widely prescribed in clinical practice for short-term management of insomnia and is generally safe and well tolerated.
In the study by Galitz, when taken simultaneously, the pharmacokinetic properties of Gabapentin 500 mg and zolpidem tartrate 10 mg remained as it is, compared with each treatment taken alone. All medications in the study subjects were well tolerated, whether used singly or in combination.
Using zolpidem and Gabapentin simultaneously may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. In older people, it may affect thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
In a study by Fernandes, they utilized Gabapentin to treat zolpidem dependence. Investigating Gabapentin as a potential treatment for Zolpidem detoxification may be worthwhile.
People who take both Gabapentin and Zolpidem have reported drug interactions, with pneumonia among females and chronic renal disease among males being the most frequent.
The phase IV clinical study analyzes drug interactions of people who take Gabapentin and Zolpidem. According to eHealthMe, based on reports from the FDA, 7,722 people take Gabapentin and Zolpidem together.
| Common Side Effects Of Ambien | Common Side Effects Of Gabapentin |
| Headache | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Headache |
| Dizziness | Ataxia |
| Diarrhea | Fatigue |
| Dry Mouth | Somnolence |
| Hallucination | Fever |
| Muscle Pain | Tremor |
| Palpitations | Diarrhea |
| Poor Concentration | Constipation |
| Trouble Breathing | Weight gain |
| Memory Loss | Nausea and vomiting |
| Abnormal Thoughts And Behavior | Memory loss |
Doctors prescribe Ambien for insomnia and Gabapentin to control seizures, treat RLS, and reduce nerve pain. Its adequate dosage depends on the condition of the individual and other factors. Both medicines are highly effective individually.
But when they ought to be given in combination, a doctor can best advise about drug interactions and other safety considerations. Using Ambien with Gabapentin may increase side effects or result in drug interactions. Always seek medical advice before initiating any therapy. If you experience any unusual symptoms, immediately contact your doctor.
