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Re: So Zolpidem is less addictive than Lorazepam? » linkadge

Posted by SLS on August 30, 2021, at 16:32:28

In reply to Re: So Zolpidem is less addictive than Lorazepam? » SLS, posted by linkadge on August 29, 2021, at 19:59:38

Hi, Linkadge.

I hope things aren't too rough at the moment.


> >And check this out: You can stop taking zolpidem >(Ambien) all at once and suffer no withdrawal >effects except for a short stint of partial >rebound insomnia.
>
> I would push back on that a little bit. I think initially it was promoted as being less addictive than benzos, but I don't know if this has been confirmed.
>
> Personally, I have found it harder to discontinue Z drugs than benzos.


I am very surprised to hear you report that Z drugs produce a more intense withdrawal syndrome than BZDs. Was Ambien (zolpidem) among those you tried?

The abstract you cited regarding zopiclone is pretty scary. I'm glad you posted it. I can only personally attest to zolpidem and me. I had absolutely no hint of typical benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking it abruptly. The first two or three nights, I experienced frequent awakenings. Also, I could tell that it was a much lighter sleep. It was an unambiguous rebound sleep disturbance. Unfortunately, I chose to restart it during a particularly difficult time emotionally. There are a couple of things I can report regarding Ambien.

1. Sleep sneaks up on you abruptly and there is a strange amnesia as to actually feeling yourself fall asleep. I never knew that memory somehow records the sensation of falling asleep. I guess it's normally gradual enough to remember vaguely.

2. Whatever you do, do NOT go near the kitchen after taking Ambien, even if you wake up later in the night. If I leave my bedroom, I wake up finding that I had binged on a large amount of carbohydrates. Bread with butter is my weakness. Each time, you think you will be able to control yourself, even if you swear to not open the refrigerator under any circumstances. There is no sense of satiation and self-discipline disappears.

3. Taking Ambien sublingually maximizes its potency to initiate sleep, but might eventually lead to regular single rebound awakening 2-3 hours later. However, it is easy to fall back to sleep. Ambien has a very short half-life (2.5 - 3.5 hours?). Maybe I should try taking it orally to find out if I experience an awakening.

4. One can become psychologically dependent on Ambien. It's the lazy man's way of getting to sleep when your mind is occupied or otherwise active. You don't have to worry about soothing the thoughts in order to fall asleep. It's a quick fix. You become habituated to the routine, and always have a reason why you need it that particular night. Soon, it becomes a regular part of your daily routine.

5. Ambien can produce a strange, but brief period of mild stimulation at first. My doctor noted that happening to many of his patients. Stay in bed and away from the refrigerator!

7. Ambien, like Halcion (triazolam) - the most potent hypnotic benzodiazepine, can produce retrograde amnesia for events that occurred immediately before the onset of sleep. Both are very potent, and both have a very short half-life. Halcion is used for aerophobia and for anxious dental patients. The retrograde amnesia leaves them with no memory of the event, including the application of injections or the process of being given anesthesia.

8. It appears to me that both Ambien and Halcion have a liability for producing rebound awakenings. However, I have been taking Ambien sublingually rather than orally, which might account for this. There is probably a tendency for a large spike in blood levels to occur when taken Ambien sublingually.

I intend to discontinue Ambien again in a few days. I'll start off with taking 1/2 of the 10 mg tablet. I'll let you know how I do.


- Scott

> From Pubmed:
>
> Main message: Evidence of drug abuse and dependency was found in case reports and small patient series. Dependency symptoms of severe rebound, severe anxiety, tremor, palpitations, tachycardia, and seizures were observed in some patients after withdrawal. Abuse occurred more commonly among patients with previous drug abuse or psychiatric illnesses. Many clinical trials have found evidence of rebound insomnia after recommended dosages were stopped, albeit for a minority of patients. Comparative studies of zopiclone and benzodiazepines or other "Z" drugs are conflicting.
>
> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18077750/
>
> Conclusion: Zopiclone has the potential for being an agent of abuse and addiction. While many have suggested that the addictive potential for this and other "Z" drugs is less than for most benzodiazepines, caution should be taken when prescribing this agent for insomnia. Ideally, prescriptions should be given for a short period of time and within the recommended dosage guidelines.
>
> However, this is an area that I have not fully explored, so I don't know for sure.
>
> Linkadge


Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

 

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