Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of Ambien as follows:
- Neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord are chemical messengers that help the nerve cells to communicate with each other. Excitatory neurotransmitters help in stimulating the brain and spinal cord nerve cells, by promoting the impulses to spread from one cell to the other. Increased promotion of nerve impulses among nerve cells can contribute to increased activity, alertness, reduced rest and sleep, and anxiety.
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters help in depressing or inhibiting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, by inhibiting the spread of impulses from one cell to the other. Inhibition of nerve impulses among nerve cells can contribute to reduced activity and alertness, increased rest and sleep, and control of anxiety symptoms.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord. Enhancing effects of GABA result in inhibition of spread of impulses between nerve cells, thus reducing alertness and anxiety, and promoting dizziness and sleep.
- Ambien is a short-acting hypnotic medication that potentiates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), contributing to promoting restful sleep. Ambien works quickly, usually within 15 minutes, thus helping with quick sleep induction. Thus, Ambien is used for short-term treatment of insomnia.
- By promoting the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, Ambien, in high doses, can act to prevent seizures and control muscle spasms. Using Ambien as an anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant can cause severe side-effects, secondary to the high dose of medication used, and hence is discouraged.
