Ambien is a prescription medication used to treat sleep disorders, also known as insomnia. The generic name for Ambien is zolpidem, which helps treat insomnia while restoring the normal sleep that everyone needs for their daily lives. The following overview is intended to show the main mechanism of Ambien and provide important usage recommendations, as well as a complete list of side effects and precautions associated with this drug.
Important data about Ambien and its ingredients
Ambien comes with a warning because it can cause unusual symptoms and side effects, and in some cases, lead to injury or death. Throughout the Ambien treatment cycle, patients may sleepwalk or act as if they were actually awake. If any abnormal behavior occurs, do not hesitate to consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Ambien until a thorough analysis has been performed and an appropriate course of action has been developed.
Ambien calms the patient’s nervous system, helping them fall asleep and stay asleep longer. However, Ambien is not intended for long-term use. Most patients only take Ambien for a few days, with the duration of treatment not exceeding one to two weeks. If your sleep problems recur, your doctor will help you switch to another treatment option.
Do not exceed the prescribed ambient dose. Some patients mistakenly believe that increasing their Ambien dosage will give them more restful sleep, but this is incorrect. Increasing the dose will not improve the quality of your sleep, but it may pose a risk of drug dependence.
When Ambien can be taken
Ambien is fast-acting, so patients are advised to take it just before bedtime or when they are having trouble falling asleep. Ambien should only be taken if the patient can sleep completely uninterrupted for 7-8 hours. If the patient tries to wake up before the end of the designated sleep time, extreme drowsiness accompanied by memory impairment is likely to occur. It is dangerous to operate heavy machinery, drive, or do heavy labor while in the above condition. To stay safe and protect those around you, it is important to allow enough time for the effects of Ambien to wear off.
How to properly take Ambien
Ambien is usually available in two forms: tablets and extended-release tablets. Depending on your health condition and accompanying symptoms, your doctor will recommend the best Ambien prescription for you. To avoid the occurrence of various side effects, patients are strongly advised to take Ambien as prescribed.
Generally, doctors prescribe Ambien in the following doses:
Tablets
Adult males (18-55 years) – 5-10 mg once daily.
Adult females (18-55 years) – 5 mg once daily.
Elderly (55 years and older) – 5 mg once daily.
Extended-release tablets
Adult males (18-55 years) – 6.25 or 12.5 mg once daily.
Adult females (18-55 years) – 6.25 mg once daily.
Elderly (55 years and older) – 6.25 mg once daily.
Ambien is contraindicated for use in infants. If your child is having trouble sleeping, talk to your pediatrician to find an alternative treatment.
Ambien should only be given when needed to induce sleep. Ambien should only be given once a day when needed.
If the patient is able to fall asleep without Ambien, there is no need to give the medication. However, if they wake up in the middle of the night, you should record the current time and the time they plan to get up and continue their activities. Ambien should not be taken if the patient is unable to sleep for at least 7-8 consecutive hours. Otherwise, taking Ambien without adequate sleep may cause excessive sleepiness as soon as the patient wakes up, which can be potentially dangerous and may result in accidents or unwanted injuries.
Cautions for Ambien
Before starting treatment with Ambien (Zolpidem), tell your doctor about all medical history, especially liver disease, kidney disease, mood/mental health problems (e.g., suicidal thoughts, depression), personal or family history of sleepwalking, history of substance abuse (e.g., excessive use/dependence on alcohol and/or drugs), lung disease, breathing problems (e.g., sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD), certain muscle diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis).
Infants are generally more sensitive to the side effects of Ambien, especially hallucinations and dizziness. Older patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of Ambien, especially confusion, dizziness, extreme drowsiness, and lightheadedness. The above side effects may increase the risk of falls and injury.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking Ambien and should only take it with the approval of a medical professional. Babies born to mothers who took Ambien during the last 3 months of pregnancy may experience unusual drowsiness, difficulty breathing, unusual relaxation, or other negative withdrawal symptoms.
If your newborn shows any unusual symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Be sure to discuss the possible risks and benefits of Ambien in detail with your doctor before starting any treatment cycle.