U.S. doctors online nowAsk doctors free
A 24-year-old female asked:

I take 10mg of ambien (zolpidem) a night. i can't sleep without it have tried all herbal & melatonin. my ambien (zolpidem) doesn't work if i have eaten anything within 6hrs?

1 doctor answer5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Killian
General Practice 30 years experience
Tolerance: Ambien (zolpidem) fails to work forever. It is a dangerous and unhealthy choice for chronic sleep problems. It does not allow one taking it to get full rest or to get natural sleep cycles. Using it daily leads to addiction. Addiction leads to tolerance and the drug becomes ineffective. You are not born with an "ambien' deficiency. Learning how to sleep naturally is the goal here. Please consider no ambie.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Hindi Mermelstein
A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
Sleep hygiene is an underutelized techniquie to help people restore a more normal sleep-wake cycle. It should be part of all treatment for chronic insomnia as well as psychoeducation regarding sleep and sleep medications. Most medications for sleep, such as ambien were not meant for chronic use and may become less effective and even addicitve over time.
Apr 30, 2014
Last updated May 29, 2018

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.