Is Long-Term Use of Zolpidem Dangerous?
Sleep problems can be a serious issue, causing significant consequences to a person’s quality of life and ability to function and meet daily responsibilities. While it may be tempting to address these problems by turning to medication or pills, it’s important to know that these substances are mostly only designed to be used for a short period of time. Their possible side effects, as well as the very real possibility of developing dependence on the drugs and even going through withdrawal if they’re quit suddenly, need to be a part of this decision. If you or someone you love is suffering from Zolpidem side effects of long-term use, it’s good to understand that help is available at a top Florida prescription drug addiction treatment center.
Table of contents
» What Is Zolpidem?
» What Is the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Zolpidem Use?
» What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Long-Term Zolpidem Use?
» Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Replace Zolpidem?
» Key Takeaways on Zolpidem Side Effects Long-Term Use
» Resources
What Is Zolpidem?
Zolpidem is a common prescription medication treatment for insomnia that goes by the brand name Ambien. It’s a central nervous depressant, meaning it slows down the body’s nervous system to help patients fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
It’s available as tablets, capsules, and extended-release tablets. Most often, it should only be taken for a period of a few days or up to a couple of weeks—it’s not meant to be taken for an extended period due to the risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Like most medications, it can potentially interact with many other substances, which is why it’s important to tell your doctor about the medicines, drugs, or supplements you’re taking before beginning a new medication. An interaction with alcohol is especially problematic, which is why patients are advised not to use this medication if they’ve drunk that evening or just before going to bed.
In addition, patients are told to take the medicine on an empty stomach and to use it only if they have time to get a full seven to eight hours of sleep. Why is this so important? If someone wakes up before that period has elapsed, the medicine will still be affecting them, potentially leading to symptoms like memory loss and drowsiness.
Common side effects of Zolpidem include:
- Drowsiness or extreme sleepiness
- Headaches and body or muscle aches
- Stuffy/runny nose
Less common side effects to watch out for include:
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion and stomach pain
- Feeling especially sluggish, tired, weak, or dull
- Memory loss and forgetfulness
- Double vision
- Heartburn
- Longer or heavier periods
- Muscle stiffness, back pain, and pain in the face or around the eyes
- Changes to the voice
- Swollen neck glands
- Feeling congested or hoarse
- Difficulty moving, or feeling like yourself or your surroundings are constantly moving
Rare side effects can include sexual dysfunction, increased sweating, vision changes, increased sensitivity to sunlight, slurred or changed speech, weight loss, and much more.
What Is the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Zolpidem Use?
If you’re wondering about Zolpidem side effects of long-term use, it’s important to understand why this medication is generally only meant to be taken for a short period of time and what can happen if this advice is ignored. Most often, patients will be told to just use Zolpidem for a few days or up to one or two weeks as a temporary and powerful solution for severe insomnia.
Even then, they’re likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness or impaired functioning the next morning, as well as problems with coordination, judgment, and memory. Potential use cases include things like someone who is newly grieving a loss and needs instant relief to get some sleep, as well as those who are suffering from severe insomnia and need rest. However, it’s not a permanent solution for sleep problems, and there are many risks associated with long-term use.
Consider, for example, the risks of using Zolpidem for more than a few weeks: Tolerance, or needing more of the drug to feel the same effects; dependency, or when the body becomes used to the drug and requires it to function; and withdrawal symptoms that can start if the person suddenly quits taking this drug. If you’re wondering why can’t I stop using drugs, things like dependence and the threat of withdrawal symptoms can be a big part of the answer.
Another thing to watch out for with long-term use is more dangerous sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking or even driving while sleeping. The person might wake up with no memory of having done anything, but they could be putting themselves and others at risk if they’re doing things like this while under the influence of this powerful sleep medication.
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, including seizures and delirium, and dependence and tolerance are major issues to watch out for if this medicine is used for too long or misused (in a way other than intended or taking more than prescribed).
A case study of a 39-year-old woman who was taking a high dose of Zolpidem for 10 years shows some of these risks. She was actively going through withdrawal, including tremors, stress, anxiety, and rapid involuntary eye movements, before getting professional help and going through an intensive detox program for two months.
What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Long-Term Zolpidem Use?
Zolpidem side effects of long-term use can come in many forms, including cognitive impairment the day after use, feeling dizzy or drowsy, or even intense mood swings, worsening depression and anxiety, and becoming aggressive or agitated.
Quite often, people won’t remember how they behaved or what they did while on this medication. But the most significant problems to watch out for are related to the body and brain becoming accustomed to the drug and then needing it to continue functioning.
- Dependence: This occurs when the brain and body become physically dependent on the medication, meaning Zolpidem is required to function normally.
- Tolerance: When someone develops a tolerance to a drug, it means they require more of the substance or more frequent dosages to feel the same effects as before.
- Addiction: At this point, the person has a powerful and compulsive need for the medication—even though they are suffering adverse consequences from using it. It’s no longer a choice; it’s a feeling that they need it and must have it at all costs.
If you’re wondering about how to help a family member with addiction to a sleep medication, it’s important to turn to the professionals for the best treatment options that can help them achieve long-lasting recovery.
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Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Replace Zolpidem?
Many people get into problematic usage patterns of sleeping pills and medications like this because they’re trying to get relief from their insomnia. Being unable to sleep or get a restful night’s sleep can cause serious emotional and physical problems, significantly reducing quality of life, so it’s understandable that people will seek a solution. However, long-term use of sleeping medications often isn’t the best answer to this problem.
One promising option is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I. During this specialized form of psychotherapy, a therapist will help the patient identify and then change beliefs and behaviors that could be affecting their sleep, such as negative thoughts or persistent worries that keep their minds racing and make it hard to fall asleep.
In addition to addressing these thought patterns, therapists and sleep specialists can help patients start to make beneficial changes to their sleep patterns, such as setting a consistent bedtime, changing habits like smoking, drinking, or consuming too much alcohol that can affect sleep, and applying relaxation techniques like meditation to relax and be able to fall asleep.
The major benefit of choosing CBT-I instead of sleeping pills is that, unlike medication, this therapy actually helps patients address the causes of their problems – not just take a drug to try to overcome these problems.
Key Takeaways on Zolpidem Side Effects Long-Term Use
- Sleeping pills are a common short-term treatment for insomnia and sleep difficulty.
- Zolpidem, sold under the brand name Ambien, is generally intended for use only for a few days or up to a couple of weeks to temporarily treat severe insomnia.
- Side effects can include next-day drowsiness, memory loss, and stomach problems.
- Zolpidem side effects of long-term use include serious problems with drug tolerance, dependence, and even addiction.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be a much more effective long-term solution to insomnia than trying to use medications for an extended period of time.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or worried about the Zolpidem side effects of long-term use and other prescription medication withdrawal problems, WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab can help. Call us at 877-855-3470 to learn how we can help you get better and achieve the brighter future you deserve.
Resources
- National Library of Medicine – Severe Chronic Abuse of Zolpidem for Over 10 Years: A Case Report and Review of Similar Cases
- Mayo Clinic – Zolpidem (Oral Route)
- Mayo Clinic — Insomnia Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Instead of Sleeping Pills
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
