Ambien

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Ambien (pronounced: am-bee-en), also known as Zolpidem, is a prescription medication primarily used for the short-term treatment of sleeping disorders, such as insomnia.

Etymology

The name "Ambien" is derived from the word "ambient" or "ambiance," referring to the surrounding environment which can affect sleep.

Pharmacology

Ambien belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics. It works by activating the neurotransmitter, GABA, which slows down the brain and central nervous system, promoting sleep.

Usage

Ambien is typically prescribed for short-term use, usually 1 to 2 weeks or less. It is taken orally, and it's recommended to take it right before going to bed.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Ambien include drowsiness, dizziness, and diarrhea. More serious side effects can include memory loss, mood changes, and hallucinations.

Related Terms

  • Insomnia - A sleep disorder that makes it hard for individuals to fall asleep, stay asleep, or cause them to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
  • Sedative-hypnotics - A class of drugs designed to induce and/or maintain sleep.
  • Zolpidem - The generic name for Ambien.

See Also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski