How Long Does Ambien Stay in Your System?

Ambien (zolpidem) is a sedative-hypnotic drug that doctors use to treat insomnia. It works similarly to benzodiazepines by affecting the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain.[1] While Ambien helps manage insomnia, it is not meant for long-term use because it can be addictive.

Before 1998, 100% of Ambien use was by prescription. However, since 2001, nearly 15 to 20% of people using Ambien were buying it off the street.[2] This proves that Ambien abuse is a considerable issue that should be addressed.

If you or a loved one abuse Ambien, you might be wondering how long it stays in your system. The half-life of zolpidem is about 2.5 hours, which means it can remain in your body for 10 to 14 hours.[3] It leaves behind metabolites in certain areas of your body that allow drug tests to detect it for longer periods.

In this article, you will learn:

• How long the effects of Ambien last
• How long Ambien stays in your system
• How long drug tests can detect Ambien in your body

How Long Do the Effects of Ambien Last?

Ambien is intended to work quickly, as it is meant to help you sleep. This means that the drug will take effect within 15 to 30 minutes of consuming it. If you are prescribed Ambien to treat your insomnia, you should take your dose right before you go to bed.

The common side effects of zolpidem include:[4]

• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Headaches
• Coordination issues and unsteady gait
• Feeling “drugged”
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Gas and heartburn
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Unusual dreams or sleepwalking
• Muscle aches and pains
• Ringing in the ears or tinnitus

The effects of Ambien last between 7 to 8 hours. Doctors recommend that you do not take Ambien unless you can get eight hours of sleep, otherwise, you will wake up feeling groggy. Additionally, zolpidem can lead to dependence, which means you should not take it every night for a long period.

What is Ambien’s Half-Life?

To understand how long zolpidem stays in your system, you need to know what a drug’s half-life is. A half-life explains how long it takes your body to eliminate half of a dose of Ambien. It can take your body 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be removed from your system.

The half-life of Ambien is about 2.5 hours.[3] This means it can take up to 10 to 14 hours for your body to eliminate it from your system. Ambien is processed in the liver and eliminated via urine.

It is important to note that several factors play a role in how long Ambien stays in your system. For example, if you are taking high doses of Ambien, it might take you longer to eliminate it than other people. Additionally, your weight, body fat percentage, overall health, and the speed of your metabolism can affect the process.

How Long Can Drug Tests Detect Ambien?

While Ambien leaves your system within 14 hours, metabolites will be left behind. Drug tests look for these metabolites to determine if you have abused Ambien recently. While standard drug panels do not look for Ambien, specialized tests can be used.

The amount of time that Ambien is detectable on a drug test depends on the test used. For example, hair tests can detect the drug longer than saliva tests.

Urine

Urine tests are the most commonly used type of drug screening. They are minimally invasive and relatively cheap to analyze. You might be given a drug test before you are offered a job, during a drug rehab program, or in a parole office for probation.

Drug tests can detect Ambien in urine for 72 hours after your last dose.

Saliva

Saliva tests are not used as frequently as urine tests because they offer a shorter window of detection. This is because drugs tend to leave your saliva faster than other areas of your body. That said, law enforcement officers might use them to determine if you are driving under the influence.

Keeping this in mind, saliva tests can detect Ambien in your system for up to 24 hours after your last dose.

Blood

Blood tests are not used frequently because they are invasive and offer a shorter window of detection than urine tests. However, they might be used by a medical professional in hospital settings to determine if a substance is contributing to your system.

Blood tests can find Ambien in your body for 6 to 20 hours when taken in a therapeutic dose. However, if you were abusing Ambien in high doses, a blood test might be able to detect it for up to 48 hours.

Hair

Hair follicle drug tests are not used commonly for a couple of reasons. First, they are extremely expensive to send to the lab for analysis. Additionally, they tend to offer discriminatory results based on things like hair color.

Despite this, some high-security clearance jobs use hair tests for their long detection periods. When used to test for Ambien, they can detect it in your system for up to 90 days after your last dose.

Find Help for Ambien Abuse and Addiction

Ambien is only meant to be used short-term because addiction to it can be difficult to overcome. If you become addicted to zolpidem, you will need medical detox. These programs help you overcome Ambien withdrawal symptoms with medications and clinically proven treatments.

In addition to medical detox, inpatient rehab is often necessary to overcome addiction. You will be provided with individual therapy, group counseling, and relapse prevention planning to ensure you have the best shot at long-term recovery. At New Jersey Interventions, we can connect you with a top-rated Ambien addiction treatment center in your area.

Contact us today for more information on how to find help for Ambien addiction.

References:

1. Science Direct: Zolpidem increases GABA in depressed volunteers maintained on SSRIs
2. The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Evidence of zolpidem abuse and dependence
3. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ambien Label
4. Medline Plus: Zolpidem