Taking Ambien. Have Insomnia. Taking Cough Medicine Hydromet. Safe To Use For Long Term?

Posted on Tue, 9 Jul 2013

Question: I have a friend who has been taking Ambien for 8 years. She says she stays within the recommended does. It has been her only solution to severe insomnia developed eight years ago. I can find no definitive studies on effects of long-term use. Now, she is taking a cough medicine called Hydromet and the personality shifts and psychological delusions which were borderline acceptable are suddenly deepening.

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (21 minutes later)

Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query.
Ambien contain a sedative called zolpidem.
This drug is not a habit forming drug and considered to be safe for long term use except some reports on allergy, somnambulism etc.
The cough syrups contain opiates and decongestant medicines which altered the mood in these patients.
Your friend should inform the physician and should get a formula without these medicine in it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer.
Please close the query if you have no other questions.
Wish you a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (9 minutes later)

Thank you, Dr. Choudhary.
I would like to keep the conversation open to discuss your answer with my fiancé who is the person in question and with our psychologist counselor. I see there are three days before this discussion closes automatically.
Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (35 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
I will try to help you online.
You can reopen the discussion anytime with me by paying a nominal fee
to the board people.
I wish you both . a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (14 minutes later)

I would like to ask if there is a recommended alternative to codein-based Hydromet as an alternative cough suppressant to my fiancé who takes (long-term) Ambien for insomnia. I would like to be able to offer her choices to discuss with her doctor.

I would also like to ask if there are any published studies you could recommend about observed proofs that Ambien, taken at recommended doses for the most part, long-term, is conclusively safe. Having searched online, myself, for such studies, I see nothing considered definitive.

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (15 hours later)

Hi XXXXX,
Welcome back to healthcare Magic!
There are many formulae which do not suppress but loosen the sputum so coughing out is easy.
Preparations vary from country to country, your physician will be able to prescribe.
The Ambien has come to popularity in last 10years, upto now there is no conclusive literature thatch guarantee safety but no major perceivable risk up to now except the few I have indicated in previous mail.
I hope the advise would be informative and useful for you.
Take Care!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (39 hours later)

Dear Dr. Choudhary,
We live in NY State.
Is there a non-opiate drug popular for cough suppression in our State?

Also, I have seen evidence on studies that relate long-term Ambien use to osteoporosis. My fiancé has been confirmed with osteoporosis at the early age of 40. It is my instinctive suspicion, since she takes no other drugs regularly except Advil, also to help her sleep, that the Ambien is having a deep but surreptitious and difficult-to-verify affect on her, physiologically and, perhaps, psychologically.

Any thoughts?
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (14 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
I will try to help you but the contents can vary place to place.
I think Grilinctus-BM would be such a preparation.
You can go to the medicine shop yourself and ask for opioids free formula on OTC basis, I think you will get one.
AS SUCH UPTO NOW THERE IS NO CONFIRMED LITERATURE TO SUGGEST THAT ZOLPIDEM CAUSES OSTEOPOROSIS, Albeit is is not a surety against osteoporosis, may be the disease has started de novo and certainly needs an evaluation by a local physician including a physical examination..
I wish you both . a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (45 hours later)

Just to thank you, Dr. Choudhary.
Your response is very helpful. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (2 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the feedback and sweet compliment.
Wish you two all the best.
Dr.Ram

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar