Zolpidem, sold in tablet form under the name-brand Ambien CR, is a prescription medication used to treat chronic insomnia. Zolpidem is slightly more specific in its method of action than barbiturates and other sleep-assisting agents.
Zolpidem Chemistry
Zolpidem tartrate is an imidazopyridine hypnotic drug which is used to treat insomnia. More general hypnotic drugs are usually benzodiazepenes, whereas zolpidem is more specific.
Method of Action
Like benzodiazepenes, zolpidem acts on the alpha subunit of the GABA receptor, which is a chloride channel. However, while benzodiazepenes act on all types of alpha subunits (three have been found so far), zolpidem specifically acts on a single type, known as the omega-1 receptor.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a psychological condition in which mental stress interferes with the normal sleep cycle, which consists of four distinct stages followed by REM sleep. Anxiety and depression are common factors which cause sleep disturbance.
FDA Dosage Recommendations
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has noted that the daily dosage should not be higher than 10 mg, taken at night right before going to sleep. Elderly users, and those with liver problems, should only take 5 mg per day.
FDA Warning
According to a notice filed by the FDA in 2007, the use of hypnotic drugs such as zolpidem increases the risk of sleep-related disorders, the most serious of which is sleep-driving (see Resources below).
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