Can You Take Ambien In Pregnancy?

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Dealing with sleeplessness during pregnancy can make you exhausted. You may want to take medications such as Ambien to feel better, but can you take Ambien while pregnant? Reading this post may be a good idea to find out the answers to your concerns.

Studies show that around 78% of women may have sleep disturbances during pregnancy (1). Additionally, a study by researchers from multiple institutions found that the overall prevalence of insomnia symptoms during pregnancy was about 38.2%.

The American Pregnancy Association states that insomnia in the pregnant mother may not be harmful to the unborn (2). Nonetheless, a small study on 131 pregnant women in their ninth month of gestation demonstrated that inadequate sleep could result in problems in the labor and birth process (3). Hence, if you have insomnia during pregnancy, you consider popping pills to feel better sooner. But, how safe is it to take sleep medications while pregnant? This post will help you understand some natural ways to combat insomnia during pregnancy, safety aspects, and more on taking Ambien during pregnancy.

In This Article

What Is Ambien?

Ambien is a prescription medication classified as a sedative hypnotic drug
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Ambien, also known by its generic name zolpidem, is a prescription medication classified as a sedative-hypnotic drug. The medication is prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia and sleeping troubles (4).

Can You Take Ambien While Pregnant?

The US Food and Drug Administration lists Ambien as a “Pregnancy Category C” drug, which means animal studies have shown adverse effects on the unborn baby, and there are no well-controlled studies in humans (5).

This means, it is not clear whether Ambien is safe during pregnancy in humans. So, the doctor might prescribe the drug only if the possible benefits outweigh the potential risks.

What If You Have Already Taken Ambien During Pregnancy?

If you have been on Ambien before your pregnancy, or have taken it during pregnancy without a prescription, then let your doctor know about it. The doctor would decide whether or not you can continue the drug, or change the dosage if needed. Do not stop taking the medication suddenly as it could impact you and the baby.

Can Ambien (Zolpidem) Cause Miscarriage?

There are few studies on the health risk of miscarriage due to Ambien. More research is needed to understand the implication.

Can Ambien Increase The Chance Of Birth Defects In The Baby?

There is no evidence to show that Ambien, or any other medicine chemically similar to it, could cause birth defects in babies or harm to the fetus.

However, the US FDA states that the children born to mothers, who took sedative/hypnotic drugs, maybe at some risk of withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period. Also, neonatal flaccidity (lack of force or vigor in muscles) has been reported in infants born to mothers who were on sedative/hypnotic drugs during pregnancy (5).

How Can Ambien Affect The Pregnancy?

Multiple studies have examined the effect of hypnotic benzodiazepine receptor agonist and reported no significant adverse neonatal outcomes (6).

  • Premature birth: A retrospective cohort study in Taiwan found that pregnant women who used Zolpidem had an increased risk of low birth weight, and/ or cesarean and preterm delivery. But this study did not include other contributing factors such as tobacco and alcohol.
  • Low birth weight babies: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Sweden found that, pregnant women who were exposed to Zolpidem showed an increased risk of low birth weight in babies. However, this study too did not consider other contributing factors.
Zolpidem showed an increased risk of low birth weight in babies.
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So, there is no definitive evidence to state that the use of Zolpidem could affect pregnancy.

However, there are a few general side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, and diarrhea (5). Therefore, do not take the medicine before having your doctor’s consultation.

Does Ambien Cause Withdrawal Symptoms For The Mother Or Baby?

Abrupt termination of the medication might result in general withdrawal symptoms such as (5):

Ambien may cause fatigue
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Some babies could also have breathing difficulties, low body temperature, and limp and weak muscles during birth (7). Your doctor will, therefore, recommend additional monitoring and testing during pregnancy or after delivery.

Next, we answer a few common queries on taking Ambien during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to take Ambien in the first trimester?

A study by British Columbia found that a dual drug exposure such as an antidepressant and benzodiazepines (such as Zolpidem) had an increased risk of congenital heart anomalies (5). Therefore, you should exercise caution before taking this medication.

2. Does Ambien cross the placenta?

Yes, Ambien crosses the placenta and could bring in less optimal obstetrical outcomes. It is likely to cause risks such as low birth weight and preterm labor (8).

3. Safe Alternatives To Deal With Insomnia During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, you should go for medications only when the doctor prescribes them. If you are pregnant and insomniac then, here are a few safe alternatives.

  • Listen to soothing music before bedtime
  • Reduce screen time at night, thereby reducing exposure to the blue light
  • Take a warm shower/ bath before bedtime
  • Have a massage or change the sleeping position and keep the room cool
  • Avoid naps during the daytime

4. Can Ambien make me infertile?

There are not enough studies to confirm that Ambien (zolpidem) can adversely affect fertility (9).

5. Is 5mg of Ambien enough for me?

According to the FDA, the recommended dosage is 5mg for immediate-release products of zolpidem (Ambien) and 6.25mg for extended-release products (Ambien CR) (10).

Ambien is a sedative used as a short-term treatment for sleep disturbances like insomnia. It can cross over the placenta and affect the baby. Thus, taking Ambien while pregnant is advisable only when its benefits outweigh the potential risks. Whether you have been taking this medication before pregnancy or have started it after getting pregnant, keep your healthcare provider informed. Don’t cease using the drug abruptly, as it might result in withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, spasms, panic attacks, and nervousness.

Infographic: How Does Taking Ambien Affect Pregnancy?

Having a restless sleep during pregnancy may require you to take sleeping pills like Ambien. However, know that it might affect your pregnancy more while providing temporary relief. Check out the infographic below to learn about this medication’s potential side effects on a pregnant woman.

the possible side effects of ambien on pregnancy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic drug prescribed for short-term insomnia treatment.
  • The drug’s safety during pregnancy is uncertain, and it’s only given if the benefits outweigh the risks.
  • Inform your doctor if you took Ambien before or during pregnancy without a prescription.
  • Hypnotic benzodiazepine receptor agonists haven’t been linked to significant adverse neonatal outcomes in studies.
  • Abruptly stopping use may cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, spasms, stomach cramps, lightheadedness, sleeping problems, and panic attacks.
Can You Take Ambien While Pregnant_illustration

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Ali M. Hashmi, et al.; Insomnia during pregnancy: Diagnosis and Rational Interventions; NCBI (2016)
2. Insomnia During Pregnancy:Snooze or Lose!; American Pregnancy Assocaition
3. Jen Jen Chang, et al.; Sleep Deprivation during Pregnancy and Maternal and Fetal Outcomes: Is There a Relationship?; NCBI (2011)
4. Ambien and Ambien CR; The official Ambien website
5. Prescribing Information- Ambien tablets; US Food and Drug Administration
6. Cristina A Reichner; Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy; NCBI (2015)
7. Patient Leaflet- Zolpidem Tartarate 10 mg Tablets; The electronic Medicines Compendium
8. Juric S, Newport DJ, Ritchie JC, Galanti M, Stowe ZN; Zolpidem (Ambien) in pregnancy: placental passage and outcome; NCBI (2009)
9.Zolpidem; Mother to Baby Fact sheet(2009)
10. Questions and Answers: Risk of next-morning impairment after use of insomnia drugs; FDA requires lower recommended doses for certain drugs containing zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist); FDA

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