Help! Ambien stopped working. Possible drug interaction??

[youngbaldie]

I take Ambien on an as needed basis. My dose is 10mg. I take it maybe once a week when I have it prescribed. I use it only on really bad nights of insomnia. It used to work wonders and it put me right to sleep.

But here is the thing. Lately, I have been taking a lot of supplements for my hair, and they seem to be working! (great news)

Of course, there are some side effects like slightly lower libido, slight ejaculation disorder, etc. You know, the usual effects of anti-androgens. But I can put up with these as long as they don't get too bad.

But very strangely, the Ambien doesn't work AT ALL anymore. No drowsiness. No insomnia relief. Nothing. I haven't taken it in weeks either. So I KNOW its not a tolerance issue. It should be working just like all the other times, but it now does squat!

And its more than a coincidence I think that it started to lose all of its effectiveness about the time my scalp started clearing up and my hair started getting better! Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, I love that the supplements are working, thats great, and I couldn't be more pleased.

But I really don't get this Ambien business. It just doesn't make sense. Could somebody with a knowledge of pharmacology help me out here...PLEASE?

Could the supplements I am taking that lower androgens (saw palmetto, soy isoflavones, etc.) inhibit the action of Ambien on the GABA receptors? Any theories?

I need my sleep! Help!

 

[sincityslicker]

I am not an expert in pharmacology, but I suspect that its possible that there is some kind of interaction. You can try taking some natural supplements (along with the ambien) to help you relax at night like valerian root or if that doesn't work try taking a shot of Nyquil with your ambien. If not, just consult your Doctor that your getting the ambien from.

 

[youngbaldie]

I just found something interesting.

"Finasteride has been linked with depression [2] The drug also causes reductions in allopregnanolone, a potent, endogenous positive modulator of the GABA-A receptor, and may theoretically exacerbate existing anxiety disorders. [3]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finasteride


Perhaps Palmetto works in the same way at high doses. It would be interesting to see if anyone taking Propecia reports that Ambien doesn't work.

Anybody here take Ambien while on Propecia?

 

[CCS]

I was about to say, take GABA and Melatonin. Interesting, that finasteride bit. I'll try to take finasteride in the morning, then.