First, how long does Ambien take to work?
Once you take a dose of Ambien, it starts to work immediately. If the drug is effective for you, you’ll probably experience the effects right away. Both medications begin to work within about 1 hour of taking your dose.
Most frequently prescribed for treating insomnia is the drug zolpidem, also known by the brand name Ambien. This medication, which is also referred to as a sedative and hypnotic, is very good at lulling people to sleep. It is available in immediate-release and extended-release varieties, with immediate-release being used for people who have trouble falling asleep and extended-release being used for those who have trouble staying asleep.
Since Ambien has a high potential for addiction, many medical professionals won’t recommend it for longer than two weeks at a time. The risk of zolpidem dependence and addiction may increase for those who take this drug frequently or in higher doses. When the drug is abruptly stopped, this may result in withdrawal symptoms.
More information about how long does ambien take to work can be found further down in this article.
Table of Contents
How Does Ambien Work?
The medication zolpidem goes by the brand name Ambien. It is the most frequently prescribed drug for insomnia and is indicated for short-term use to help with sleep induction.
Zolpidem helps promote sleep by increasing brain inhibition by acting on the GABA system.
Due to the way their chemical names are spelled or pronounced, a class of drugs known as “z-drugs” includes ambien as well as eszopiclone and zaleplon. Benzodiazepines, which were previously used to treat insomnia, are frequently replaced by these medications, despite the fact that their mechanisms of action are similar. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex’s benzodiazepine binding site is where zolpidem interacts, increasing GABA activity. A neurotransmitter called GABA blocks particular kinds of brain activity. Zolpidem helps to promote sleep by increasing brain inhibition by acting on the GABA system.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has designated Ambien as a Schedule IV drug, which indicates that it carries some risk of physical dependence and abuse. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 900,000 people were estimated to have misused the drug in 2017 out of the 9.5 million people who reported using zolpidem products in the previous year. Compared to 2016, when 11.4 million people used the drug and just over 1 million misused it, these figures are lower.
Test For Ambien Use
Although the use of Ambien won’t likely show up on a routine drug test, there are several tests that can catch it.
Hair Test
Hair samples have shown traces of ambien. Hair that is 1.5 inches long can reveal 90 days of drug use.
Saliva Test
One hour later, ambien can be found in the saliva. With a half-life of about five hours in saliva, its main breakdown product, zolpidem phenyl-4-carboxylic acid, or ZPCA, can be detected for up to a day after use.
It may be more likely to be detected in one of these ways in people who have a history of abusing sleeping pills or who are suspected of abusing drugs. As with any drug, the only surefire way to guarantee that it won’t be found is to avoid using it.
Urine Test
For up to three days following use, ambien can be found in urine tests. The most popular method of testing for drug use is urine analysis.
Blood Test
Blood tests are rarely used as a tool to identify abuse. Given how quickly Ambien leaves the bloodstream, they only permit testing for a brief period of time, typically within a few hours of use. Blood tests, however, might be used if a driver or a hospitalized patient is thought to have used it.
Factors Of How Long Ambien Stays In The System
Ambien can take time for your system to detect it, depending on a number of factors. Drugs are metabolized differently by each individual, which ultimately affects how long they remain in the body.
How long zolpidem remains detectable in the body can be affected by the following factors:
- age
- weight
- gender
- fluid and food consumption
- kidney and liver function and health
- how much Ambien a person has taken
- how frequently a person has used Ambien
The average person will typically metabolize Ambien more quickly than an older person or someone with a lower body fat percentage. This is true for both young and obese people. Additionally, those who consume more of the drug or use Ambien continuously for a longer time are likely to have the drug in their bodies for a longer time.
Ambien Use Physical Side Effects
While Ambien serves many as a sleep aid to combat insomnia and provide relief without the serious side effects of barbiturates, like any other drug, there are a variety of side effects that a user can experience.Usually, people who take the medication according to the prescription instructions can experience the positive effects of the medication. The misuse of Ambien, however, can occur when people use it to unwind or escape from their daily worries. The likelihood that a user will experience more severe side effects increases when they misuse a substance by taking it when it’s not necessary or by taking larger and more frequent doses of the medication. Physical side effects of Ambien can include
- Very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Abdominal pain
- Seeing double
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Skin rashes
- Irregular body movements
- Uncontrolled shaking
- Drowsiness
- Pinpoint pupils (pupils that have constricted to a small size)
- Slow and ineffective breathing (respiratory depression)
Additionally, this medication may cause an allergic reaction in some people. An allergic reaction is characterized by symptoms such as face, tongue, or mouth swelling, shortness of breath, and hives. People who think they might be having an allergic reaction to the medication should get help right away.
Ambien Use Cognitive Side Effects
A medication called Ambien was created specifically to take the place of frequently prescribed benzodiazepines in the treatment of insomnia. Ambien was designed to try to prevent users from developing addiction or abusing other substances, which can happen when taking benzos. As a result, Ambien needed to be a substance that could duplicate the advantages of benzos without having as high a potential for abuse and addiction. The brain’s receptor cells are how Ambien affects the brain. Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GAMA, interacts with those receptor cells to bind. This substance aids in regulating and influencing sleep and various neurological functions. Because of the drug’s interactions with this chemical in the brain, upon taking Ambien, it is possible that some users may experience various cognitive side effects.These cognitive side effects of Ambien can include
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory loss (amnesia)
- Disorientation, especially about place or time
- General confusion
- Loss of appreciation or pleasure about life
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Hallucinations
- Disturbances in sleep
- Inability to get a restful night’s sleep
Intensified Adverse Effects
As we’ve already covered, the need for a sleep aid that might have less negative side effects than other common treatments, such as the use of benzos, led to the development of Ambien. The occurrence of daytime sleepiness in users was one of the main arguments against medications like benzos. Although Ambien was intended to offset such experiences, it appears that when taken in high doses, Ambien can remain in a user’s system the morning after a dose is taken. A prescription drug’s effects can still be felt in the morning by someone who took it the night before if the dose is high enough. Some people who may still feel drowsy, lightheaded, or dizzy but need to drive to work in the morning could be in grave danger if the medication’s effects are strong enough. Part of the reason the FDA advises that Ambien doses be restricted is the potential for seriously unfavorable side effects.The FDA also warns that, “Even if a patient feels fully awake after taking an anti-insomnia medication, mental alertness may be impaired the following morning.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that people who take Ambien may continue to feel drowsy for up to 16 hours after taking their first dose. Other adverse side effects of Ambien can include
- Excessive sedation
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Hallucinations
- Lack of proper motor control and coordination
- Slow response times
- Delayed reflexes
- Impaired judgment
- Increased aggression
- Clumsiness
When Ambien is initially taken, some users can also experience an initial boost of energy and feelings of euphoria. This sensation is what some users choose to abuse and take infrequently and in high doses that are not necessary. A user will experience the typical effects of drowsiness and may experience dizziness or poor coordination after the initial rush of euphoric feelings wears off. A user is more likely to suffer a serious fall, break or fracture a bone, or be involved in another type of accident when using drugs improperly and in large doses.Mixing Ambien and other depressant substances ought to be avoided for the health of the user. Alcohol, opioids, and tranquilizers are examples of substances that depress the central nervous system. In combination with Ambien, the sedative effects Ambien will be boosted. Accidental injury and fatal overdose risk can both rise as a result of this.
Unconscious Behaviors During Ambien Use
Some Ambien users have been found to engage in a variety of unconscious behaviors. Some people may not have the experiences or act in the ways described below. However, it can happen to some people and is more likely to happen when Ambien is misused or taken at a high dose.
Sleepwalk
In the case of sleepwalking and other complex activities undertaken while on Ambien, the user is usually not aware that such activities are occurring. People who are sleepwalking will move around and possibly even finish tasks while still sleeping. The majority of the time, children are the ones who experience sleepwalking, but teens and adults can also experience it due to other conditions, in this case, those that are drug-related. Clinically, actions taken while in this state are collectively referred to as parasomnia. When someone has parasomnia, they engage in activities like talking, moving around, or eating while they are still asleep.
Sleep-eat
There have also been reports of people preparing and eating food after taking Ambien. Like sleepwalking, reports of any sleep-eating cases involve patients reporting that they were unaware at the time that they consumed any food. For instance, a person who takes Ambien and experiences sleep eating may discover a plate of food in the kitchen that has been partially consumed, but they have no memory of having prepared or consumed it. Sleep-eating can be detrimental or harmful for those who are trying to lose weight or must adhere to a strict diet for medical reasons. People with diabetes, for instance, must control and monitor the type and quantity of food they eat in order to maintain stable blood sugar levels. The possibility of mishaps when using cooking appliances like the stove or oven is another issue with sleep eating. The oven or stove could be left on by people who are cooking while they are asleep because they might be less aware of their surroundings and their circumstances. This could cause fires or other accidents.
Read about: Can You Feel Things In Dreams?
Sleep-drive
One of the most infamous behaviors that can occur as a side effect of Ambien is probably sleep-driving. As already stated, Ambien should not be combined or mixed with any other medications, especially those that depress the central nervous system. Depressants and Ambien together can intensify a person’s sedative effects as well as increase the likelihood that a person will experience parasomnias, which are unusual sleep-related experiences like sleep-eating or sleepwalking. It goes without saying that it can be extremely frightening to wake up behind the wheel and have no memory of ever even getting into a car. During these episodes, a person can leave their bed, enter their car, and simply start driving as they would normally. As was already mentioned, motor and cognitive impairment can linger for up to several hours after a dose in the morning. Despite the fact that the user may feel awake and alert, high doses of Ambien stay in the body for a longer period of time and can impair a user’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Driving safely depends on maintaining mental alertness, having functional motor abilities, and having normal reflex times. When a user tries to drive while Ambien is still in their system, the chance of an accident or being stopped for drunk driving may be increased.
If I Take A Drug Test, Will Ambien Come Up?
In most cases, Ambien does not appear on drug tests. On typical 5-, 10-, and 12-panel tests, Ambien (zolpidem) is not included. However, if your doctor feels that you need to be tested for Ambien, they can order the appropriate tests. If there is a suspicion of drug abuse or drug diversion, for instance, you might be tested for Ambien.
How Much Time Does Ambien Stay In Urine?
Ambien’s absorption into the body and potential detection in urine tests are both influenced by a number of factors. The length of time Ambien stays in urine, for instance, is significantly influenced by hydration. When taking a dose of Ambien, a person who is well-hydrated is more likely to have increased urinary flow, which could result in a quicker clearance of the drug from the body. Additionally, Ambien may leave the system more quickly the more acidic the urine is.
For up to 72 hours, or three days, following the last dose, Ambien use may be detected in a urine sample. This estimate takes into account the metabolites produced as the body breaks down Ambien.
When Does Ambien Leave Your Blood?
Within 1.6 hours of taking Ambien, blood levels reach their peak. Within 30 minutes of using Ambien, it may appear in a blood test. However, the detection window is limited and, depending on the half-life, it might only be detected in blood tests for 10 to 14 hours.
When Does Ambien Leave Your Saliva?
Around 15 minutes after taking ambien for the first time, its presence in the user’s saliva can still be seen, and for up to eight hours afterward. Saliva tests have a fairly narrow detection window. A saliva test will likely miss the presence of Ambien if it is not performed within a day of taking the medication.
Ambien Stays In Your Hair How Long?
Contrary to popular belief, drugs can still be detected in hair follicle tests up to 90 days after the last dose of Ambien. When using hair tests, many other drugs have a 90-day detection window.
Final Words
So how long does it take for Ambien to start working?
After taking Ambien, its effects kick in quickly. This also means that because it is a fast-acting drug, the drug does not stay in the system for very long. The effects of Ambien typically start to take effect within 30 minutes, reaching their peak 1.5 to 2 hours after ingestion.
I appreciate your reading. Have a nice day!