Ambien Overdose: What You Need to Know

What Is Ambien?

Ambien is a brand name for the drug Zolpidem, which belongs to a class of medications known as sedative-hypnotics. It is commonly prescribed to treat insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulties in falling asleep and staying asleep. Ambien is available in both quick-release and long-release forms, and it works by affecting chemicals in the brain, making it easier to fall asleep. This Avenues Recovery guide brings expert advice from those in the field of addiction, and explains what to know about Ambien use, safety considerations, and potential risks.

Key Takeaways on Ambien Overdose

• Taking more Ambien than prescribed can be life-threatening.
• Combining Ambien with alcohol or opioids greatly increases overdose risk.
• Key symptoms include extreme drowsiness, confusion, and impaired coordination.
• Immediate medical attention is essential for anyone overdosing.
• Effective recovery combines medical care, therapy, and supportive resources.

Can You Overdose on Ambien?

It is definitely possible to overdose on Ambien. The risk of overdose is more likely if someone takes a large amount in a short period of time, or if they mix it with CNS depressants like alcohol or opioids. There are documented cases of Ambien overdoses that happened both by mistake and on purpose.

The typical prescribed dosage of Ambien is 5 to 10 milligrams. When taken within this recommended range, Ambien is generally considered safe and does not pose a risk of overdose. However, taking more than that makes it more likely for a person to experience an overdose. An Ambien (zolpidem) overdose happens when someone takes more of the medication than the prescribed amount, leading to too much Ambien in the body. 

This can result in a range of symptoms, such as:

• Tiredness
• Confusion
• Slow breathing
• Coma (total lack of response)
• Death

There is a bigger chance of overdose when people misuse Ambien by taking it for non-medical reasons, or mixing it with alcohol, opioids, or other CNS depressants.

How Much Ambien is Too Much?

Negative effects of Ambien can begin to manifest at doses as low as 70 milligrams, and doses higher than that are considered to be a lethal dose of Ambien. The risk of overdose climbs higher the larger the dosage taken. Aside from dosage, taking Ambien in ways unprescribed and/or unintended (like snorting or injecting) raises the risk of overdose.

If you or a loved one suffers from Ambien abuse, Avenues Recovery can guide you on your path to recovery.

What Are Typical Ambien Overdose Symptoms? 

Typical Ambien overdose effects include: 

• Extreme Drowsiness: Excessive sleepiness and difficulty staying awake are common signs of an overdose. 
• Confusion: Overdose may lead to confusion, disorientation, and an impaired ability to think. 
• Slurred Speech: Difficulty speaking clearly or slurred words can indicate someone is overdosing. 
• Impaired Coordination: Motor skills may be affected, leading to problems with balance and movement. 
• Unresponsiveness: In bad cases, people may not respond or wake up from sleep. 
• Difficulty Breathing: An Ambien overdose can cause difficulty breathing.
• Coma: In extreme cases, an Ambien overdose can lead to a prolonged state of unconsciousness known as coma.
• Ambien Overdose Death: In the worst-case scenario, an Ambien overdose can lead to death. 

What To Do If Someone Overdoses on Ambien? 

If you suspect someone has overdosed on Ambien, take the following steps immediately:

1. Dial 911. Give them all necessary information, including the person's symptoms, the amount of Ambien taken, the time of last dose, and any other substances involved.
2. Stay with the victim and make sure their heart is beating and they are breathing. If the individual loses consciousness, perform CPR (if you know how) until medical professionals arrive.
3. Do not make the victim vomit. Throwing up is not recommended in the case of an Ambien overdose. It is essential to let medical professionals handle the situation.

What Are Risk Factors Associated with Ambien (Zolpidem) Overdose?

Taking more Zolpidem than prescribed significantly increases the risk of overdose. This can happen by mistake or on purpose in people who are suicidal. Certain formulations of Ambien have a faster release of the active ingredient, which may increase the risk of overdose, if not taken as prescribed by a doctor. However, there is no clear consensus on what a fatal dose of Ambien is, since risk varies widely based on individual factors and how the medication is used.

Taking Ambien with other CNS depressants like alcohol, benzos, or opioids, can make a person more likely to overdose. Research shows that combining Ambien with alcohol significantly increases the chance of serious adverse effects and overdose because alcohol can amplify the medication’s sedating properties.

Developing a tolerance to Ambien over time might lead individuals to take higher doses to achieve the same sedative (sleepy) effects, making the chance of overdose higher. Dependence can also cause someone to overdose. If a person has a kidney or liver problem, they are at a higher risk of overdose because their body cannot process the Ambien properly. Older people with underlying health conditions may be more susceptible to the sedative effects of Ambien, increasing the risk of overdose.

People with a history of substance abuse, including misuse of prescription medications, may be more prone to taking excessive amounts of Ambien, leading to overdose. In some cases, individuals with suicidal tendencies may intentionally overdose on Ambien to cause harm to themselves. It's essential to monitor individuals with a history of mental health issues closely.

What is Ambien Overdose Treatment?

Medical care depends on the severity of the symptoms and focuses on keeping the person safe and stable.

Supportive care for milder cases:
 

When the person is awake and breathing normally, care may include monitoring vital signs and providing supervision. This involves monitoring vital signs (like pulse and blood pressure) and providing supervision and reassurance until the effects of the medication wear off.

Measures to limit absorption:

In some cases, activated charcoal may be pumped into the stomach or taken orally to absorb the remaining Ambien and prevent further absorption into the bloodstream.

Advanced medical intervention:

Flumazenil, a medication used to reverse the effects of sedative-hypnotics, may be used in particularly severe overdose cases to reverse the sedation (medicine-induced tiredness) caused by Ambien. Intravenous fluids (IV) may be needed to maintain blood pressure and support overall physiological function. Severe cases of Ambien overdose may require monitoring in a full-service medical setting, such as an intensive care unit, to make sure the person is safe. 

Treatment for Ambien Addiction and Abuse

Treatment for Ambien addiction often involves a combination of the following medical and behavioral interventions:

Prevent an Ambien Overdose With Avenues Recovery Addiction Treatment Programs

If you or a loved one suffer from Ambien abuse, reach out to us at Avenues Recovery so we can guide you on your path to recovery. Our expert staff have helped over 40,000 individuals break free of their addictions, and they can help you too. We believe that everyone deserves access to treatment, and that every person can reach sobriety - no matter their history. Contact us today to join our vibrant recovery community and begin your journey to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Ambien Overdose

Can other medications increase zolpidem overdose effects?

Yes. Mixing Ambien with other sedating medications can intensify zolpidem overdose effects and complicate Ambien overdose treatment.

Can you overdose on Zolpidem 10 mg?

Yes, taking more than the prescribed 10 mg of zolpidem can lead to serious side effects such as extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. Seek medical attention immediately in case of suspected overdose.

Is there a defined lethal dose of Ambien?

No, there is no single lethal dose of Ambien or clearly defined fatal dose, because effects vary by individual and circumstances.

What happens if you accidentally take 2 Ambien?

Taking two Ambien tablets at once may increase drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. It can also raise the risk of sleepwalking or impaired coordination. Contact a healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Does Narcan work on Ambien?

No, Narcan (naloxone) only reverses opioid overdoses and does not counteract Ambien or other non-opioid sedatives. Supportive care and medical attention are required for Ambien overdose.