Published on 12 September 2022

What Happens When You Take Ambien And Stay Awake?

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Sleep is the basic stuff that every individual needs to sustain the ability of health and wealth. One should have a healthy sleep to have good health.

Quality sleep is the key to feeling your best the next day. No matter how tired we are, getting enough shut-eye that goes undisrupted by bathroom trips, the car alarm going off, or worrying about a big work presentation can be difficult. In the UK, 16 million adults are having difficulty sleeping. 

The most significant factor is any stress, depression, or health conditions that will affect your state of mind and body that will not allow you to rest. And you start to suffer from sleep disorders; in medicare, several sleeping pills are available to treat insomnia(inability to sleep). The drug Ambien is used for treating insomnia; it is a very effective pill. Let us understand in detail. 

What  Is Ambien?

Ambien is usually recommended to deal with insomnia and other sleeping disorders. It is an effective sedative-hypnotic aid that does not compel anyone to fall asleep but helps put the individual's brain in a somewhat sleep and waking state. 

How To Use Ambien?

The efficacy of any drug depends on the administration of the drug. The following things should be kept in mind while taking Ambien-

  • It is advised to read the Patient Information Leaflet or the Medication Guide before taking Ambien. In case of any query, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Take Ambien orally on an empty stomach as directed by your medical practitioner. 
  • Since Ambien is a fast-acting drug, take it just before going to bed. Do not take zolpidem unless you have a whole night's sleep time of at least 7 to 8 hours. Avoid taking it with or after a meal because as will not work as quickly. If you have to wake up before completing the sleep cycle of 7-8 hrs, you may have some memory loss. You may find difficulty doing any activity that requires alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. 
  • The drug dosage depends on your age, gender, medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you might be taking. 
  • Do not self-medicate, alter the dose on your own, take it more often, or use it for a period longer than prescribed. 
  • The maximum dose of Ambien is 10 milligrams a day.
  • Initially, the lowest effective dose should only be taken to avoid or minimize the risk of side effects.
  • Do not stop taking Ambien abruptly, as there are chances of withdrawal symptoms (such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, shakiness, and nervousness). Withdrawal is more likely if you have taken Ambien for a longer time or in high doses. Contact your concerned doctor or pharmacist immediately if you observe withdrawal symptoms.
  • When Ambien is taken for a more extended period, it may not work well. Talk to your physician if this drug stops working well. Also, inform if your condition lasts after 7 to 10 days or if it gets worse.

How Long Does Ambien Take To Work?

Ambien begins to work as soon as you take a dose. If the drug works for you, you'll likely feel the effects after one dose. It shows its effect within 1 hour after taking your dose. In case any additional information is required, contact the medical practitioner for the same.

What Are The Consequences Of Staying Awake With Ambien?

Ambien is used to treat sleep problems. Sleep signals our body to release the hormones that support our immune systems and memory. It also reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Taking Ambien and staying awake could lead to you engaging in behaviors you don't remember doing the next day, i.e., memory problems, hallucination, or decreased awareness. These behaviors include preparing and eating food, driving, or making phone calls while sleeping. 

You should not take this drug other than what your doctor prescribes. Ambien is meant to be used right before you try to sleep. 

People who take sleeping aid such as Ambien and stay awake to get high may take multiple doses of this drug to maintain pleasant effects, which might lead to a drug overdose. Sleeping pills usually take time for their complete processing, and if they are still present in the body at the time when another dose is taken, the chances of overdose increase. 

Contact your doctor if you are struggling to fall asleep while taking Ambien. They can suggest a treatment plan that might work better for you. 

How Long Does Ambien Stay In Your System And Last?

The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes for the body to get rid of half a dose. Ambien (Zolpidem) has a half-life of about 2.5 hours. Clinical studies of Ambien showed that when a single dose is taken a day for two weeks, the drugs don't build up in the body. 

What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Ambien?

Ambien may cause some severe side effects, including: 

  • Abnormal thoughts and behavior
  • To get out of bed and do any activity with partial awakeness 
  • Memory loss 
  • Anxiety 
  • Severe allergic reactions. 
  • Falls, which may lead to severe injuries 

Talk to your healthcare practitioner if you observe any of the above side effects while taking this drug. However, these are not all the side effects of AMBIEN. The most common side effects are dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhea, and grogginess. 

Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for further inquiry.  

Can Ambien Keep You Awake?

Ambien is a non-barbiturate, non-benzodiazepine hypnotic that acts on the GABA neurotransmitter and inhibits or slows down the natural brain activity, inducing drowsiness to the point of calmness and intense sedation. Take Ambien just before going to bed since it reaches peak effectiveness quickly.

Make sure you can stay in bed for 7-8 hours after taking Ambien since visiting awake while the drug is still in your system can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea, among other adverse effects. Generally, the impact of low-dose Ambien (5 mg) lasts for 7-8 hours. Similar to its elimination, the efficacy of Ambien is affected by age, weight, other medications are taken, and other medical conditions present.

Higher doses of Ambien may have longer-lasting effects and cause next-day drowsiness. Consult your doctor if this happens. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Ambien is a sedative drug used to treat insomnia; if you are still awake, it will lead to behavioral changes like memory problems, hallucination, and decreased awareness. It will affect your next day's routine, So with the advice from your doctor, you should take the drug at the correct time with a limited dosage.
Ambien will start work and produce a calming effect after one hour of drug intake. It will help you to fall asleep quickly.
It is a fast-acting drug that will stay in your urine for 24-48 hours and blood tests for 6-20 hours.

Can Ambien Cause Insomnia?

After you stop taking this medicine, you may have difficulty sleeping the first few nights. This condition is normal and is known as rebound insomnia. It usually goes away after 1-2 nights. Contact your doctor if this effect continues. 

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

Ambien (Zolpidem) is usually recommended to deal with insomnia and other sleeping disorders. It is meant to be used right before you go to sleep, and it becomes impossible to stay awake after taking this drug. If a person tries to stay awake while on this drug, it could lead to some behavioral changes, hallucination, memory problems, and performing sleep activities. 

Also, if a person takes multiple doses to get good sleep, he might end up with a drug overdose. It is advised to contact your medical practitioner if you are struggling to fall asleep while taking Ambien. They can suggest a treatment plan that might work better for you.