Health Effects of Ambien
Ambien is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. Despite its effectiveness, Ambien causes certain health effects or side effects.
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Significance
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During clinical trials published by the Food and Drug Administration, 4 percent of study participants discontinued use of Ambien due to its health effects.
Types of Common Side Effects
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Common side effects of Ambien include headache, diarrhea, dizziness, lethargy, light-headedness, depression, abdominal pain, constipation, back pain and dry mouth.
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Time Frame
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Side effects of Ambien are more common if you take the drug for more than 10 days. The common health effects of Ambien gradually subside once your body becomes acclimated to the drug.
Risks
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Ambien has the potential to cause psychiatric side effects like hallucinations, severe depression, suicidal thoughts or actions and sleep driving. Some patients develop a physical dependence to Ambien and experience withdrawal when they discontinue use.
Considerations
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Children under the age of 6 and adults over 65 are more susceptible to the health effects of Ambien. Because Ambien causes fetal dependence upon the drug, doctors rarely prescribe the drops for pregnant women.
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