Ambien

Brand Names

Zolpidem, Zolpidem, Stilnox, Stilnoct, Myslee

What is Ambien

Ambien is a drug used to treat insomnia. It is sedative and it also called a hypnotic. Ambien affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia).The immediate release form of Zolpidem is Ambien, which is also used to help you fall asleep. The extended-release form of Zolpidem is Ambien CR, which has a first layer that dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep, and a second layer that dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep.

Your doctor should determine which form of Zolpidem is best for you.

Side effects of Ambien

Ambien acts on your brain to produce a calming effect and helps fall asleep faster. However it may cause some side effects. If have noticed any of these side effects of Ambien, inform your doctor immediately:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Muscle weakness

Less common adverse effects include:

• Unexpected changes in behavior such as rage reactions worsened Insomnia, confusion, agitation, hallucinations and other forms of unwanted behavior.
• Sleep walking, driving motor vehicles and other unusual and on some occasions dangerous behaviours whilst apparently asleep. These have also included preparing and eating food, making phone calls or having sexual intercourse. People experiencing these effects have had no memory of the events.

Indication

Ambien is intended for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Ambien has been shown to reduce sleep latency and increase the duration of sleep for up to 35 days in controlled clinical studies.

Hypnotics should generally be limited to 7 to 10 days of use, and reevaluation of the patient is recommended if they are to be taken for more than 2 to 3 weeks. Ambien should not be prescribed in quantities exceeding a 1-month supply.

Precautions

Before taking Ambien, you need inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This medicine contains inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. You also needed inform doctor about your medical history such as:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide)
• personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other
• substances
• lung/breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, sleep apnea)
• a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis)

You should not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness while taking this medicine.

Dosage forms

Prescribed dosage will be differing depending on factors, including:

• Your age
• Other medical conditions you may have
• Other medications you may be currently taking

Do not change the dosage form until your doctor instructs you to do so. Ambien is available in 5 mg and 10 mg strength tablets for oral administration. Tablets are not scored.

Ambien 5 mg tablets are capsule-shaped, pink, film coated, with AMB 5 debossed on one side and 5401 on the other.

Ambien 10 mg tablets are capsule-shaped, white, film coated, with AMB 10 debossed on one side and 5421 on the other.

Dose of Ambien for Insomnia

The starting dosage is Ambien 10 mg, taken immediately before bed. People who are using other medications that affect the brain, have liver disease, or are older, need the starting dose may be Ambien 5 mg.