how long does ambien stay in your system
General

Do You Know How Long Does Ambien Actually Stay In Your System?

Insomnia seems to be a worldwide phenomenon that affects millions of men and women. Are you one of them? If you are suffering from sleeping disorder, you are well aware of the harmful effects that it can trigger in your life. You can get relief from insomnia with the help of a prescription drug, Ambien. The question that the majority of sufferers is concerned is “how long does Ambien stay in your system?”

What is an Ambien Pill?

Before you get information regarding the time period of ambien stays in your system, it is essential to know about the prescribed drug. Ambien or Zolpidem is a popular medicated drug prescribed for insomnia or sleep disorders. It has a similar action of benzodiazepines but differs in the chemical structure. Ambien is known to promote sleep-inducing or sedative effects since the GABA receptors undergo a modulation.

Uses and Dosage of Ambien

When you are suffering from sleep-related issues (insomnia), Ambien is prescribed. It helps you to fall asleep, within 15 minutes of the consumption. The drug aids to induce sleep acting as the protagonist at the GABA receptor. Hence, the drug produces a calming effect on your brain; you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

It is suggested to consume the medication orally as directed by your doctor. Usually, it is taken before the meal or just before going to bed for maximum effect. The dosage of Ambien depends on individual factors. They include:

  • Your age
  • Your gender
  • The medical condition that you might be experiencing
  • The medicines you take

It is highly recommended to follow the prescribed dosage as directed by the doctor. You shouldn’t increase or decrease the dosage according to your will. Moreover, you shouldn’t take it more than a period prescribed. Ambien is usually prescribed for a limited span of time, not exceeding more than 14 days at a stretch. As per the dosage is concerned, you shouldn’t consume more than 10 milligrams per day. This is because you don’t exactly know how long does Ambien stay in your system.

According to the studies, we see that women are prescribed with the lower dosage of Ambien. How long does Ambien stay in your system? Well, the drug gets eliminated from a woman’s body much slower when compared to men. Furthermore, a senior citizen or an older adult is prescribed with lower dosages of Ambien so that the side effects are minimal.

How long does Ambien Stay in your System?

You are dependent on Ambien these days, right? The question bothering you is what is the duration of ambien stays in your system? No such specific time frame assures that Ambien gets eliminated from your body. But, According to the drug test, Ambien will pass out through the urine 8 to 14 hours after you take the pill. It will leave your system quickly, though it varies from one person to the other. Some factors influence the flushing out of Ambien dosage from your system. They are:

  • The dosage of Ambien
  • The frequency of the drug
  • Your age
  • Weight and body mass index
  • Your metabolic rate
  • Your physiology and genes
  • The food you eat
  • Your liver function
  • Your body’s hydration level
  • The pH level of your urine
  • The lifestyle you lead

The factors mentioned above determine the time period Ambien stays in your system.

Considering a Drug Test

You may be someone who is undergoing a drug test and is looking to know, how long does Ambien stay in your system? Are you worried to fail the drug test of your medical condition because you have consumed an Ambien pill the night before the test . The best option is to report that you have taken the pill and show your prescription as well. This will help to find the precise report result without any false figures. Moreover, you can also delay the tests as long as possible so that the traces of the drug gets flushed out.

Drinking detox drink before an hour of the test can be helpful as well. The drink will help in the elimination of the toxins out of your body via the urine. This means that you can go for the blood as well as urine samples for drug tests for your medical condition and get the right reports.

How long does Ambien stay in your Hair?

Are you concerned about how long Ambien stays in your system? You must be worried about its stay in your hair as well. It is surprising to know that a single Ambien dose detects in your hair even after five weeks of consumption. This is quite helpful in the criminal cases where it can be used to find out whether Ambien has been used to harm an assault. The range of concentration varies from 1.8 pg/mg to 9.8 pg/mg. Using a detox shampoo might be helpful to remove the traces of the drug from the hair.

How long does Ambien stay in Urine?

If you undergo the standard or the usual urine tests, Ambien traces cannot be detected. You have to experience specialized tests and urine screenings to identify the Ambien in urine. The highest concentrations of the drug can show up to 12 hours of Ambien consumption. Furthermore, it can be noticed even up to 60 hours after taking. Duration of Ambien stay in your system or urine also depend on the dosage and frequency.

Side Effects of Ambien

Perhaps the worst side effect of taking Ambien is the feeling of sleepiness or drowsiness the next day when you wake up. This depends on how long does Ambien stay in your system. You must consult your doctor in case you experience the following:

  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion
  • Memory loss
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Abnormal thoughts
  • Suicidal thoughts

Some way or the other, the side effects also depend on the time length of Ambien stay in your system.

When should you take Ambien?

You should consume Ambien only when you will be able to sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours. In case, you fail to sleep for the specified period after taking Ambien; you will feel sleepy all through the day. There is also chances of hallucination and temporary memory loss. Such things can be hazardous for you depending on how long does Ambien stay in your system.

Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Sameer Kumar (MBBS, MS, FMAS, DMAS)Obstetrician & Gynecologist