Ambien, or zolpidem tartrate, is widely prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Ambien works by correcting an underlying chemical imbalance in the brain, allowing individuals to relax and fall asleep quickly. Too much Ambien, however, can impair the brain and induce coma, says RxList.
Features
Ambien is a central nervous system depressant, and people who take too much Ambien may become somnolent, or excessively drowsy, notes Rx List. As Ambien continues to depress the functions of the brain, individuals may lapse into a coma while their blood pressure drops and their respiratory status deteriorates. Left untreated, these symptoms can be fatal.
Treatment
Patients who are comatose secondary to Ambien ingestion are treated with gastric lavage, a procedure in which the stomach is washed with large amounts of fluid to remove undigested drug residue. They'll also receive intravenous fluids to dilute any Ambien in the bloodstream. According to Ambien manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist drug called flumazenil can help reverse the somnolence and coma caused by too much Ambien. Flumazenil, also known by its brand name Romazicon, is administered by an intravenous injection to keep Ambien from working on receptor sites within the brain, explains Drugs.com.
Effects
The combination of gastric lavage, intravenous fluids and flumazenil improves respiratory function, stabilizes blood pressure and promotes a more normal level of consciousness, says Drugs.com.
Adverse Effects
As individuals emerge from an Ambien-induced coma, they may develop convulsions and hyperexcitability as adverse effects of the flumazenil, according to RxList. The risk of convulsions is higher in individuals who already demonstrated either seizure-like activity or jerking movements of the arms and legs before the drug is given, says Drugs.com.
Prevention/Solution
People who take Ambien together with alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system are more likely to become excessively drowsy and lapse into coma, says Drug.com. Medications that intensify the effects of Ambien include seizure drugs, other sleeping pills, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs, prescription pain medications and antidepressant medicines. Those individuals will need a lower dose of Ambien for insomnia.
Tips
The recommended daily dose of Ambien is 10 mg for most adults, and 5 mg for the elderly or individuals with chronic disease. The low maximum dosages make it easy to overdose on the drug, says RxList. Patients should make a written note documenting when they take their nightly Ambien pill and consult that note if they can't remember if they've already taken their drug.
