July 14, 2019

Dr. Q. Afifa Shamim-Uzzaman discusses zolpidem in Refinery29

...Zolpidem decreases the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, increases sleep duration, and causes fewer awakenings throughout the night, explains Q. Afifa Shamim-Uzzaman, MD, MD, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Ann Arbor VA.

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If someone takes zolpidem, but doesn't sleep a full eight hours, it can lead to "significant consequences," Dr. Shamim-Uzzaman says. "Sleep-driving" as well as sleep-walking, talking, and eating, while not fully awake have all been reported, she says. If someone has also been drinking alcohol or taking other central nervous system depressants, these effects tend to be more pronounced, she adds. And the crazy thing is, people won't remember doing it the morning after.

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..."Zolpidem should only be taken under the close supervision of a physician and for short-term use," Dr. Shamim-Uzzaman says.