We searched the United States F00d and Drug Administrati0n, Physician's Desk Reference, Universities ar0und the w0rld and hundreds 0f Internet sites t0 give y0u these rep0rts in plain English. We believe y0u sh0uld be fully inf0rmed bef0re taking any drug. That includes the side effects that 0thers d0n't talk ab0ut.
What is Ambien?
Ambien is the p0pular brand name 0f z0lpidem (pr0n0unced: z0le PI dem) tartrate, a sh0rt-term prescripti0n medicati0n t0 aid pe0ple wh0 have difficulty getting t0 sleep, have tr0uble staying asleep, 0r wake up t00 early in the m0rning. (Sh0rt-term: usually 7 t0 10 days) Ambien was intr0duced in the United States in 1993 but this sleeping pill was widely used in Eur0pe five years bef0re that. M0re than 4 billi0n d0ses 0f Ambien have been prescribed w0rldwide.
Ambien is in a class 0f drugs called sedative/hypn0tics 0r sleep medicati0ns. Alth0ugh it is supp0sed t0 be n0n-addictive, s0me pe0ple wh0 take it disagree ab0ut that.
H0w d0es Ambien w0rk?
N0n-technical: Ambien affects chemicals in y0ur brain that may bec0me unbalanced and cause ins0mnia. Ambien causes relaxati0n and induces sleep. This sleeping pill helps y0u fall asleep within 15 t0 30 minutes, s0 take Ambien 0nly when y0u are ready t0 g0 t0 sleep. It is beneficial in pr0viding a decent night's sleep and is 0ut 0f y0ur b0dy in 6-8 h0urs s0 y0u aren't affected the next day.
Technical: Ambien has been sh0wn t0 bind preferentially t0 the 0mega-1 (BZ-1) recept0r subtype 0f the GABAA recept0r, the subtype th0ught t0 be m0st cl0sely ass0ciated with sleep. In c0ntrast, benz0diazepine hypn0tics n0nselectively bind t0 and activate all 3 0mega recept0r subtypes. While the selective binding 0f Ambien 0n the 0mega-1 recept0r is n0t abs0lute, it may explain the preservati0n 0f deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) in human studies 0f Ambien at hypn0tic d0ses.
H0w is Ambien supplied?
Ambien is available as a tablet f0r 0ral administrati0n. Ambien 5-mg tablets are capsule-shaped, pink, and film c0ated, with "AMB 5" 0n 0ne side and "5401" 0n the 0ther side. The Ambien 10-mg tablets are capsule-shaped, white, and film c0ated, with "AMB 10" 0n 0ne side and "5421" 0n the 0ther side. Ambien CR (z0lpidem c0ntr0lled-release) c0mes in 6.25 mg. and 12.5 mg.
What is the rec0mmended d0sing?
The rec0mmended d0se 0f Ambien f0r adults is 10 mg immediately bef0re bedtime. In elderly and/0r debilitated patients and in patients with hepatic insufficiency, an initial d0se 0f 5 mg is rec0mmended. N0 d0sage adjustment is necessary in patients with c0mpr0mised renal functi0n; h0wever, as a general precauti0n, these patients sh0uld be cl0sely m0nit0red. D0wnward d0sage adjustment may be necessary when Ambien is administered with agents having kn0wn CNS-depressant effects, because 0f the p0tentially additive effects.
Rep0rted Side Effects
If y0u experience any 0f the f0ll0wing seri0us side effects, st0p taking Ambien and seek emergency medical attenti0n:
an allergic reacti0n (difficulty breathing; cl0sing 0f y0ur thr0at; swelling 0f y0ur lips, face, 0r t0ngue; hives); 0r
hallucinati0ns, abn0rmal behavi0r, 0r severe c0nfusi0n.
0ther, less seri0us side effects may be m0re likely t0 0ccur. C0ntinue t0 take Ambien and talk t0 y0ur d0ct0r if y0u experience
headache, dr0wsiness, dizziness, 0r clumsiness
nausea, v0miting, diarrhea, 0r c0nstipati0n
depressi0n
muscle aches 0r pains
vivid 0r abn0rmal dreams
amnesia (mem0ry l0ss) after a d0se, s0metimes significant
The m0st c0mm0n side effects seen were:
daytime dr0wsiness in 2%
dizziness in 1%
diarrhea in 1%
Be sure t0 tell y0ur d0ct0r if y0u:
Drink alc0h0l
Have a hist0ry 0f alc0h0l 0r drug dependency
Are pregnant 0r breast-feeding
Have any breathing difficulties, such as asthma, br0nchitis
Have emphysema
Have a hist0ry 0f heavy sn0ring
Are depressed
Have kidney 0r liver disease
L0ng Term Effects
During l0nger-term treatment (28 t0 35 nights) in c0ntr0lled clinical trials at d0ses less than 10 mg, the m0st c0mm0nly 0bserved adverse events ass0ciated with the use 0f Ambien and seen at statistically significant differences fr0m placeb0-treated patients were dizziness (5%) and drugged feelings (3%).
D0es Ambien increase t0tal sleep time?
Yes it d0es. In a d0uble-blind, placeb0-c0ntr0lled, multi-center study, subjective measurements sh0wed Ambien significantly increased t0tal sleep time c0mpared t0 a placeb0 f0r all 4 weeks.
Switching t0 Ambien?
There are n0 definitive clinical trials that address switching fr0m 0ther sleep medicati0ns t0 Ambien. Theref0re, it is advisable t0 all0w f0r an adequate wash0ut peri0d when switching fr0m 0ther sleeping pills, particularly l0ng half-life pr0ducts like benz0diazepines.
Disc0ntinuing Ambien
As a general precauti0nary measure, gradual tapering 0ff 0f the sleeping medicati0n rather than abrupt disc0ntinuati0n is suggested. This sh0uld help minimize the p0tential f0r withdrawal reacti0ns.
St0ring Ambien
St0re Ambien at r00m temperature away fr0m m0isture, heat and children, but n0t in the bathr00m.
N0tes 0n Ambien
If ins0mnia persists bey0nd the 7 t0 10 day treatment this may indicate the presence 0f a primary psychiatric and/0r medical illness that sh0uld be evaluated.
Ambien w0rks within 15 t0 30 minutes. D0 n0t drive, 0perate machinery, 0r perf0rm 0ther hazard0us activities after taking Ambien.
Ambien sh0uld be taken just bef0re bedtime but y0u may experience s0me carry0ver effects the next day.
D0 n0t drink alc0h0l while taking Ambien. Alc0h0l will increase dr0wsiness and may increase dizziness, which c0uld be danger0us.
D0 n0t st0p taking Ambien suddenly if y0u have been taking it f0r several weeks. This may cause withdrawal sympt0ms and make y0u unc0mf0rtable. Talk t0 y0ur d0ct0r if y0u need t0 st0p treatment with Ambien.
Ambien is in the FDA pregnancy categ0ry B. This means that it is unlikely t0 harm an unb0rn baby.
D0 n0t take Ambien with0ut first talking t0 y0ur d0ct0r if y0u are pregnant.
Ambien passes int0 breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. D0 n0t take this medicati0n with0ut first talking t0 y0ur d0ct0r if y0u are breast-feeding a baby.
If y0u are 0ver 60 years 0f age, y0u may be m0re likely t0 experience side effects fr0m Ambien. Y0u may require a l0wer d0se 0f this medicati0n.
Ambien is n0t appr0ved by the FDA f0r use by children y0unger than 18 years 0f age.
C0mm0n Misspellings f0r Ambien
Ambien is 0ften misspelled, as many pe0ple hear the w0rd verbally, write it d0wn and spell it inc0rrectly. Here are a few 0f the m0st c0mm0n misspellings f0r Ambien: Ambein, Amben, Ambeam, Ambean, Ambeim, Ambiem, Ambi0n, Ambiam, Ambiin, Amvien, Ambium, Ambian, Amein, Anbiem, Anbien, Anbeam, Anbean, Anbeim, Anbein, and Mabien.
Imp0rtant inf0rmati0n ab0ut Ambien
Ambien may cause a severe allergic reacti0n. St0p taking it and get emergency medical help if y0u have any 0f these signs 0f an allergic reacti0n: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling 0f y0ur face, lips, t0ngue, 0r thr0at. Ambien will make y0u fall asleep. Never take this medicati0n during y0ur n0rmal waking h0urs, unless y0u have a full 7 t0 8 h0urs t0 dedicate t0 sleeping.
S0me pe0ple using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, 0r making ph0ne calls and later having n0 mem0ry 0f the activity. If this happens t0 y0u, st0p taking Ambien and talk with y0ur d0ct0r ab0ut an0ther treatment f0r y0ur sleep dis0rder.
Ambien can cause side effects that may impair y0ur thinking 0r reacti0ns. Y0u may still feel sleepy the m0rning after taking the medicati0n. Until y0u kn0w h0w this medicati0n will affect y0u during waking h0urs, be careful if y0u drive, 0perate machinery, pil0t an airplane, 0r d0 anything that requires y0u t0 be awake and alert. D0 n0t drink alc0h0l while y0u are taking this medicati0n. It can increase s0me 0f the side effects 0f Ambien, including dr0wsiness. This medicati0n may be habit-f0rming and sh0uld be used 0nly by the pers0n it was prescribed f0r. Ambien sh0uld never be shared with an0ther pers0n, especially s0me0ne wh0 has a hist0ry 0f drug abuse 0r addicti0n. Keep the medicati0n in a secure place where 0thers cann0t get t0 it.
It is danger0us t0 try and purchase Ambien 0n the Internet 0r fr0m vend0rs 0utside 0f the United States. Medicati0ns distributed fr0m Internet sales may c0ntain danger0us ingredients, 0r may n0t be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples 0f this medicati0n purchased 0n the Internet have been f0und t0 c0ntain hal0perid0l (Hald0l), a p0tent antipsych0tic drug with danger0us side effects. F0r m0re inf0rmati0n, c0ntact the U.S. F00d and Drug Administrati0n (FDA) 0r visit www.fda.g0v/buy0nlineguide.
What sh0uld I discuss with my healthcare pr0vider bef0re taking Ambien?
Ambien will make y0u fall asleep. Never take this medicati0n during y0ur n0rmal waking h0urs, unless y0u have a full 7 t0 8 h0urs t0 dedicate t0 sleeping.
S0me pe0ple using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, 0r making ph0ne calls and later having n0 mem0ry 0f the activity. If this happens t0 y0u, st0p taking Ambien and talk with y0ur d0ct0r ab0ut an0ther treatment f0r y0ur sleep dis0rder.
D0 n0t use this medicati0n if y0u are allergic t0 z0lpidem. Ambien tablets may c0ntain lact0se. Use cauti0n if y0u are sensitive t0 lact0se.
Bef0re taking this medicati0n, tell y0ur d0ct0r if y0u are allergic t0 any drugs, 0r if y0u have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
lung disease such as asthma, br0nchitis, emphysema, 0r chr0nic 0bstructive pulm0nary disease (C0PD);
sleep apnea (breathing st0ps during sleep);
myasthenia gravis;
a hist0ry 0f depressi0n, mental illness, 0r suicidal th0ughts; 0r
a hist0ry 0f drug 0r alc0h0l addicti0n.
If y0u have any 0f these c0nditi0ns, y0u may need a d0se adjustment 0r special tests t0 safely take Ambien.
FDA pregnancy categ0ry C. This medicati0n may be harmful t0 an unb0rn baby. Tell y0ur d0ct0r if y0u are pregnant 0r plan t0 bec0me pregnant during treatment. This medicati0n can pass int0 breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. D0 n0t use this medicati0n with0ut telling y0ur d0ct0r if y0u are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects 0f Ambien may be str0nger in 0lder adults. Accidental falls are c0mm0n in elderly patients wh0 take sedatives. Use cauti0n t0 av0id falling 0r accidental injury while y0u are taking Ambien.
D0 n0t give this medicine t0 any0ne y0unger than 18 years 0f age.
It is danger0us t0 try and purchase Ambien 0n the Internet 0r fr0m vend0rs 0utside 0f the United States. Medicati0ns distributed fr0m Internet sales may c0ntain danger0us ingredients, 0r may n0t be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples 0f this medicati0n purchased 0n the Internet have been f0und t0 c0ntain hal0perid0l (Hald0l), a p0tent antipsych0tic drug with danger0us side effects. F0r m0re inf0rmati0n, c0ntact the U.S. F00d and Drug Administrati0n (FDA) 0r visit www.fda.g0v/buy0nlineguide.
H0w sh0uld I take Ambien?
Take Ambien exactly as it was prescribed f0r y0u. D0 n0t take the medicati0n in larger am0unts, 0r take it f0r l0nger than rec0mmended by y0ur d0ct0r. F0ll0w the directi0ns 0n y0ur prescripti0n label.
Ambien c0mes with patient instructi0ns f0r safe and effective use. F0ll0w these directi0ns carefully. Ask y0ur d0ct0r 0r pharmacist if y0u have any questi0ns.
Take Ambien 0nly if y0u are able t0 get a full night's sleep bef0re y0u must be active again. Never take this medicati0n during y0ur n0rmal waking h0urs, unless y0u have a full 7 t0 8 h0urs t0 dedicate t0 sleeping.
Take this medicati0n with a full glass 0f water. Av0id taking Ambien CR with 0r just after a meal 0r it may take l0nger f0r y0u t0 fall asleep. Ambien is f0r sh0rt-term use 0nly. Tell y0ur d0ct0r if y0ur ins0mnia sympt0ms d0 n0t impr0ve, 0r if they get w0rse after using this medicati0n f0r 7 t0 10 nights in a r0w. D0 n0t take Ambien f0r l0nger than 4 0r 5 weeks with0ut y0ur d0ct0r's advice.
Y0u may have withdrawal sympt0ms if y0u st0p taking this medicati0n after taking it 0ver several days in a r0w. D0 n0t st0p taking this medicati0n suddenly with0ut first talking t0 y0ur d0ct0r. Y0u may need t0 use less and less bef0re y0u st0p the medicati0n c0mpletely.
Withdrawal sympt0ms include behavi0r changes, st0mach pain, muscle cramps, nausea, v0miting, sweating, anxiety, panic, trem0rs, and seizure (c0nvulsi0ns). Ins0mnia sympt0ms may als0 return after y0u st0p taking this medicati0n. These sympt0ms may seem t0 be even w0rse than bef0re y0u started taking the medicati0n. Call y0ur d0ct0r if y0u still have w0rsened ins0mnia after the first few nights with0ut taking Ambien.
D0 n0t crush, chew, 0r break an extended-release tablet. Swall0w the pill wh0le. It is specially made t0 release medicine sl0wly in the b0dy. Breaking the pill w0uld cause t00 much 0f the drug t0 be released at 0ne time. St0re this medicati0n at r00m temperature away fr0m m0isture and heat.
What happens if I miss a d0se?
Since Ambien is usually taken as needed, y0u may n0t be 0n a d0sing schedule. Never take this medicati0n if y0u d0 n0t have a full 7 t0 8 h0urs t0 sleep bef0re being active again. D0 n0t take extra medicine t0 make up a missed d0se.
What happens if I 0verd0se?
Seek emergency medical attenti0n if y0u think y0u have used t00 much 0f this medicine. An 0verd0se 0f Ambien can be fatal when it is taken t0gether with 0ther medicati0ns that can cause dr0wsiness.
Sympt0ms 0f a Ambien 0verd0se may include sleepiness, c0nfusi0n, shall0w breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, 0r c0ma.
What sh0uld I av0id while taking Ambien?
Ambien can cause side effects that may impair y0ur thinking 0r reacti0ns. Y0u may still feel sleepy the m0rning after taking the medicati0n. Until y0u kn0w h0w this medicati0n will affect y0u during waking h0urs, be careful if y0u drive, 0perate machinery, pil0t an airplane, 0r d0 anything that requires y0u t0 be awake and alert.
Av0id taking Ambien during travel, such as t0 sleep 0n an airplane. Y0u may be awakened bef0re the effects 0f the medicati0n have w0rn 0ff. Amnesia (f0rgetfulness) is m0re c0mm0n if y0u d0 n0t get a full 7 t0 8 h0urs 0f sleep after taking Ambien.
D0 n0t drink alc0h0l while y0u are taking Ambien. It can increase s0me 0f the side effects 0f Ambien, including dr0wsiness.
Ambien side effects
Ambien may cause a severe allergic reacti0n. St0p taking Ambien and get emergency medical help if y0u have any 0f these signs 0f an allergic reacti0n: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling 0f y0ur face, lips, t0ngue, 0r thr0at. St0p using Ambien and call y0ur d0ct0r at 0nce if y0u have any 0f these seri0us side effects:
depressed m00d, th0ughts 0f hurting y0urself;
unusual th0ughts, risk-taking behavi0r, decreased inhibiti0ns, n0 fear 0f danger;
anxiety, aggressi0n, feeling restless 0r agitated;
hallucinati0ns, c0nfusi0n, l0ss 0f pers0nality.
Less seri0us Ambien side effects may include:
daytime dr0wsiness, dizziness, weakness, feeling "drugged" 0r light-headed;
lack 0f c00rdinati0n;
amnesia, f0rgetfulness;
vivid 0r abn0rmal dreams;
nausea, c0nstipati0n;
stuffy n0se, s0re thr0at;
headache, muscle pain; 0r
blurred visi0n.
This is n0t a c0mplete list 0f side effects and 0thers may 0ccur. Tell y0ur d0ct0r ab0ut any unusual 0r b0thers0me side effect.
What 0ther drugs will affect Ambien?
Y0u may need a l0wer d0se 0f Ambien if y0u take 0ther medicines that make y0u sleepy (such as c0ld medicine, pain medicati0n, muscle relaxants, and medicine f0r depressi0n 0r anxiety). Tell y0ur d0ct0r if y0u are currently taking any 0f these medicati0ns.
Bef0re taking Ambien, tell y0ur d0ct0r ab0ut all 0ther medicati0ns y0u use, especially:
chl0rpr0mazine (Th0razine);
itrac0naz0le (Sp0ran0x), ket0c0naz0le (Niz0ral);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
antidepressants such as imipramine (Janimine, T0franil) 0r sertraline (Z0l0ft); 0r
This list is n0t c0mplete and there may be 0ther drugs that can interact with Ambien. Tell y0ur d0ct0r ab0ut all the prescripti0n and 0ver-the-c0unter medicati0ns y0u use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal pr0ducts, and drugs prescribed by 0ther d0ct0rs. D0 n0t start using a new medicati0n with0ut telling y0ur d0ct0r.
Where can I get m0re inf0rmati0n?
Y0ur pharmacist can pr0vide m0re inf0rmati0n ab0ut Ambien.
What d0es my medicati0n l00k like?
Z0lpidem is available with a prescripti0n under the brand name Ambien. 0ther brand 0r generic f0rmulati0ns 0f this medicati0n may als0 be available. Ask y0ur pharmacist any questi0ns y0u have ab0ut this medicati0n, especially if it is new t0 y0u.
Ambien 5 mg - pink, capsule-shaped, film-c0ated tablets
Ambien 10 mg - white, capsule-shaped, film-c0ated tablets
Ambien CR 6.25 mg - pink r0und c0ntr0lled release tablets
Remember, keep this and all 0ther medicines 0ut 0f the reach 0f children, never share y0ur medicines with 0thers, and use this medicati0n 0nly f0r the indicati0n prescribed.
Every eff0rt has been made t0 ensure that the inf0rmati0n pr0vided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-t0-date, and c0mplete, but n0 guarantee is made t0 that effect. Drug inf0rmati0n c0ntained herein may be time sensitive. Multum inf0rmati0n has been c0mpiled f0r use by healthcare practiti0ners and c0nsumers in the United States and theref0re Multum d0es n0t warrant that uses 0utside 0f the United States are appr0priate, unless specifically indicated 0therwise. Multum's drug inf0rmati0n d0es n0t end0rse drgs, diagn0se patients 0r rec0mmend therapy. Multum's drug inf0rmati0n is an inf0rmati0nal res0urce designed t0 assist licensed healthcare practiti0ners in caring f0r their patients and/0r t0 serve c0nsumers viewing this service as a supplement t0, and n0t a substitute f0r, the expertise, skill, kn0wledge and judgment 0f healthcare practiti0ners. The absence 0f a warning f0r a given drug 0r drug c0mbinati0n in n0 way sh0uld be c0nstrued t0 indicate that the drug 0r drug c0mbinati0n is safe, effective 0r appr0priate f0r any given patient. Multum d0es n0t assume any resp0nsibility f0r any aspect 0f healthcare administered with the aid 0f inf0rmati0n Multum pr0vides. The inf0rmati0n c0ntained herein is n0t intended t0 c0ver all p0ssible uses, directi0ns, precauti0ns, warnings, drug interacti0ns, allergic reacti0ns, 0r adverse effects. If y0u have questi0ns ab0ut the drugs y0u are taking, check with y0ur d0ct0r, nurse 0r pharmacist. |
