How long does Ambien last?

Ambien lasts and can affect the body for 8 hours after one dose. Learn more about Ambien dosing, dangers, and more here.

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Ambien sedative effects last for about 8 hours after you take the medication. But the half life of Ambien is only 1.5 hours. More on the duration of action and Ambien uses and side effects here. Plus, a section for your questions about Ambien at the end.

Ambien effects on the body and brain

Ambien prescription drug (zolpidem) is used to help relieve the symptoms of insomnia and help facilitate sleep. Ambien is a central nervous system depressant, and its effects on the body include heavy sedation. Ambien can also cause you to act out activities in your sleep, with no memory of these activities the next day. This can include very dangerous activities such as driving. Other effects of Ambien on the body include:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • lightheadedness
  • unsteady balance
  • unusual dreams

Ambien duration of action

The half-life of Ambien is only about 1.5 hours. In fact, the main ingredient in Ambien -zolpidem – hits peak levels in the blood after only 30 minutes. This is why it’s important to take Ambien immediately before going to bed. The sedative effects of Ambien can linger for over 8 hours after taking the medication.

Ambien time in the body

After more than a day or two, it’s unlikely that Ambien will still be present in the blood. Ambien will show up on urine screens for 1-2 days, but can stay present in hair samples for 90 days or even longer.

How long do Ambien effects last

The effects of Ambien usually last 7-8 hours, which is why it should only be taken when someone is able to get a full night’s rest. If you take Ambien and don’t sleep, or get up too early the next morning, you may suffer memory problems and drowsiness.

How long does a Ambien high last

Self-reported accounts of getting high on Ambien claim that the length of an Ambien high is about 4-5 hours. However, due to the memory problems and sleepiness caused by the drug, it can be difficult to say exactly how long an Ambien high will last. In addition to increased risk of Ambien dependence, getting high on Ambien can be dangerous, because abusing zolpidem can raise the risk of serious adverse effects.

Ambien high effects

Ambien does have a possible side effect of causing a high. But when taken to try to achieve a euphoric high or for long periods of time, Ambien can become addictive.  In self-reported examples, people have reported some of these effects from getting high on Ambien:

  • drowsiness
  • euphoria
  • relaxation
  • numbness

If you like the Ambien high and take Ambien regularly to get high, you can become addicted to Ambien. An Ambien addiction can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, uncontrollable cravings for the drug, and compulsive use of the drug despite negative consequences.

Addicted to Ambien? There is hope! Recovery through sleeping pills addiction rehab treatment programs can restore your quality of life and help you find a manner of living that is free from all mind-altering substances. If you or a loved one are having trouble with Ambien, reach out for help. You are not alone!

How long Ambien lasts questions

Do you still have questions about the duration of action for Ambien? Are you interested in how long it takes to develop Ambien dependence vs. addiction? Please leave your questions about Ambien below. We are happy to try to answer you personally and promptly. And if we do not have the answer to your question, we will refer you to someone who can help.

Reference Sources: ToxNet: Zolpidem Tartrate
MedlinePlus: Zolpidem
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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