BRAND NAMES
ZOLPIDEM-
Ambien,
Ambien CR
BASIC AMBIEN INFO
Habit forming? Yes
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Sedative-hypnotic agent
MEDICAL USES
Short-term treatment for Insomnia.
- May be used for other disorders as determined by your doctor.
MEDICAL DOSAGE & AMBIEN USAGE
How to take
Ambien:
- Tablet: Swallow with liquid.
- Controlled released tablet: Swallow tablet
whole. Do not crumble, crush or chew tablet.
When to take Ambien:
-
Take immediately before bedtime.
- For best results, do not take with a meal or immediately after eating a meal.
If you forget a dose:
-
Take as soon as you remember.
- Take drug only when you are able to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep before your daily activity begins.
- Do not exceed prescribed dosage.
What drug does:
-
Acts as a central nervous system depressant, decreasing sleep problems such as trouble falling asleep, waking up too often during the night and waking up too early in the morning.
Time lapse before drug works:
- Within 1 to 2 hours.
Don't take with:
-
Any other medicine or any dietary supplement
without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
 AMBIEN
OVERDOSE |
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 SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness, weakness, stupor, coma.
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 AMBIEN
SIDE EFFECTS
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Common Ambien
Side Effects:
Daytime drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, clumsiness, headache, diarrhea, nausea.
Infrequent Ambien Side Effects:
Dry mouth, muscle aches or pain, tiredness, indigestion, joint pain, memory problems.
Rare Ambien Side Effects:
Behavioral changes, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, worsening of depression, bloody or cloudy urine, painful or difficult urination, increased urge to urinate, skin rash or hives, itching.
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 | PRECAUTIONS
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Don't take if:
-
You are allergic to Zolpidem.
Before you start, consult your doctor if:
- You have respiratory problems.
- You have kidney or liver disease.
- You suffer from depression.
- You are an active or recovering alcoholic or substance abuser.
Over age 60:
- Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.
- You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.
Pregnancy:
-
Consult doctor.
Breast-feeding:
-
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine.
- Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
-
Not recommended for patients under age 18.
Prolonged use: -
Not recommended for long-term usage.
- Don't take for longer than 1 to 2 weeks unless under doctor's supervision.
Skin & sunlight:
-
No special problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
-
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you.
- Don't work around dangerous machinery.
- Don't climb ladders or work in high places.
- Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes.
Discontinuing:
- Don't discontinue without consulting doctor.
- Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
- You may have sleeping problems for 1 or 2 nights after stopping drug.
Others:
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
- Don't take drug if you are traveling on an overnight airplane trip of less than 7 or 8 hours.
- A temporary memory loss may occur (traveler's amnesia).
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