What Is A Lethal Dose Of Ambien?

Ambien, the brand name for zolpidem, is a sedative-hypnotic commonly used as a short-term treatment for insomnia. Research shows that Ambien can be lethal at a dose of 300 milligrams, particularly when it’s used alongside opioids, alcohol, or other depressant substances.

When taken as prescribed, Ambien is very safe and effective for its intended purpose. In very high doses, however, Ambien may cause drug overdose, which in severe cases, can be fatal.

Learn more about the fatal dose of commonly abused drugs.

How A Lethal Dose Of Ambien Is Determined

The drug label for Ambien, provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states that patients should take no more than 10 milligrams of Ambien daily, due to the risk of toxicity.

Ambien is a strong sedative-hypnotic that is generally prescribed at a starting dose of five or 10 milligrams. Reports of severe allergic reactions, and resulting fatality, have also been reported. In order for Ambien to have fatal effects, a person would have to take far more than the recommended daily dose.

How Common Is Ambien Overdose?

Ambien overdose happens rarely compared to overdoses from other prescription drugs. Medical studies show that people don’t often abuse Ambien to get high, which is different from pain medications such as Vicodin and OxyContin. Since fewer people misuse Ambien for recreational purposes, there are also fewer cases of people taking dangerous amounts of the drug.

However, taking too much Ambien can still be very dangerous or even deadly. The risk becomes much higher when people mix Ambien with alcohol or other drugs that slow down the body’s functions, like other sleeping pills or anxiety medications.

What Factors Can Affect The Lethal Dose Of Ambien?

The lethal dose of a drug like Ambien will not be the same for everyone. Several personal and biological factors can affect how much of a drug it takes for it to have deadly consequences.

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• Age: As people age, their metabolism slows down and their organs don’t work as efficiently, meaning Ambien stays in their system longer and can build up to dangerous levels.
• Drug Metabolism: People who metabolize drugs slowly may experience stronger effects from smaller doses, while fast metabolizers might need higher doses but could also be at risk if they take too much.
• Liver Function: People with liver disease, damage, or reduced liver function cannot process the drug properly, causing it to accumulate to potentially toxic levels even at normal doses.
• Kidney Function: When kidney function is impaired, these waste products can build up and increase the risk of overdose symptoms and complications.
• Drug Tolerance: This can lead to taking dangerous amounts as they chase the original effectiveness of the medication.
• History of Substance Use: People with substance use history may have altered brain chemistry or damaged organs that affect how they process the medication.
• Use of Other Drugs With Ambien: Combining Ambien with alcohol, opioids, anxiety medications, or other depressants dramatically increases overdose risk. These substances work together to slow down breathing and heart rate, which can become life-threatening.
• Body Composition (e.g. body fat percentage): Ambien is stored in fat tissue, so people with higher body fat percentages may retain the drug longer.

Advanced age age, impaired kidney and liver function, and the use of Ambien with other drugs (including alcohol) are associated with an increased risk for serious Ambien overdose.

Signs Of Ambien Overdose

Knowing the signs of an Ambien overdose can help individuals and loved ones know when it’s time to call for emergency medical treatment.

Signs and symptoms of Ambien overdose can include:

• slow heart rate
• sleepiness
• unconsciousness
• confusion
• hallucinations
• slowed or stopped breathing
• low blood pressure

If someone has collapsed, stopped breathing, or is unresponsive after taking a high dose of Ambien alone or with other drugs, contact medical professionals right away.

What To Do During An Ambien Overdose

Ambien overdose can be difficult to recognize because the drug is designed to cause drowsiness, making it hard to tell the difference between normal effects and a dangerous situation. If someone has taken an unusually large amount of Ambien, cannot be roused, or is breathing slowly, call 911 immediately. Place the person on their side to prevent choking, keep them warm, and stay with them until help arrives.

When paramedics arrive, provide as much information as possible about what was taken, how much, and whether any other substances were involved. Unlike opioid overdoses, there is no reversal agent specifically for Ambien, so prompt medical attention is critical.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff