Q. I have been on Ambien or zolpidem for five years for insomnia. My reflux has gotten worse and worse until it became debilitating last year. I’ve had every test imaginable and have seen a GI doctor and a surgeon. I have a hiatal hernia so we all thought that was the cause of my troubles.
I stopped taking zolpidem last week and my heartburn has improved. I haven’t worked in a year because of all the pain, so I hope it resolves itself now that I’m not taking the Ambien.
A. The sleeping pill zolpidem (Ambien) can cause heartburn and other digestive problems (BMJ Open, Feb. 27, 2012). Prescribers are not always aware of this side effect, but many people have reported this reaction at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Finding other ways to get the sleep you need can be quite helpful in reducing reflux, if this reaction is behind the discomfort. We discuss a number of non-drug approaches in our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep. There are also a large number of home remedies to ease heartburn in our Guide to Digestive Disorders.
