Topic: Ambien
Generic Name: Zolpidem
Brand Names: Ambien
What is Ambien?
Ambien is a sedative. It is also known as hypnotic drugs. It creates an uncontrollable desire to sleep though affecting the chemicals in human brain. All the patients of insomnia, having the issue of sleep problems are treated with this drug. The drug is treated in two ways. The immediate-release form helps the patient to fall asleep, while the extended-release helps them stay asleep for a long period of time by dissolving slowly into the body.
Significance of the Medication:
It is an important drug. Do not take the medicine with a recommendation from a friend or relative even though you are dealing with the same symptoms. The drug should only be taken with the consultation of an authorized health practitioner. The recommended dose for Ambien is decreased by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), since the year of 2013. So physicians may suggest you to go for a lower dose than you did before.
The doses of the Ambien may vary for treating different patient. It may not be the same for men and women. As the drug works on the chemical level on brain, it impairs your thinking or reactions for certain period of time. It you are taking Ambien at night then you may feel the hangover till late in the next morning. Further if you are a female then there is a possibility that you may feel sleepy the morning. So it is advisable not to involve in the activities like driving and walking at least 4 hours since you awake until you are fully alert.
Side Effects:
People using this medication, sometimes involved in the activities like driving, walking, eating, making phone calls or having sex. Later, after the effect of the medicine, they will be found with no memory of the activity. If any such kind of things happen to you please stop taking the medicine and immediately ask for a health consultants assistance. Apart from this, the medication may also cause the signs of an allergic reaction like hives (redness, swelling, and itching); breathing complications; puffiness and swelling of your face, tongue, lips and throat.
Using the medication for treating the condition may cause dangerous for the people having kidney disease, liver problem, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep), lung’s disease like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other mental condition like mental illness, depression, suicidal thoughts or alcohol addiction. Ambien is a habit forming drug. Thus the medication is intended to only the person it was prescribed for.
Ambien can pass into breast milk and can cause harm a nursing baby. So take care if you are a pregnant woman, plan to become pregnant or a lactating mother.
Caution: It is not advisable to chew, crush or break an Ambien CR tablet. It should be swallowed as a whole tablet. Children and people below the age of 18 are not supposed to take the treatment. Do not take the medicine with a friend’s recommendation. Ambien can be taken for short-term use only. Always take doctor’s advice for proper doses of the drug before using the treatment. Follow all the safety instructions while using the treatment. Allow your body for a sound sleep of 7 to 8 hours after taking the medicine. Immediate discontinuation of the treatment may cause some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if at all your body is addicted to the treatment since long back.
What if I Miss a dose?
There is no such hazardous consequence if you miss a dose. Ambien is taken only at bedtime and is not supposed to be taken on a regular dosing schedule.
What if I Overdose?
Just seek emergency medical attention, call a doctor or take the help of Poison Help line. The consequence can be fatal. The overdose symptoms are perilous starting from sleepiness, shallow breathing, confusion, feeling light-headed or fainting. Often it leads to coma as well.
