How to Take Ambien
Ambien is the brand name version of the drug zolpidem. It is used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia. The medication in Ambien is known as a hypnotic or a sedative. Ambien works by affecting the chemicals in the brain that cause insomnia, helping your body relax so you can fall asleep and stay asleep. Your doctor may prescribe Ambien to treat other illness, but insomnia is the most common reason a person would take the medication.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Know the different dosages of Ambien. Ambien is available in three different dosages by prescription. There are 5-mg. pink capsules, 10-mg. white capsules and 6.25-mg. round, pink time-release tablets.
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2
Take Ambien exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on the label of your prescription bottle. Do not take more Ambien than you are prescribed or take Ambien longer than your doctor tells you to.
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3
Read the instructions that come with the Ambien prescription before you begin taking it. If you have any questions, contact the pharmacist or your doctor before you begin the prescription.
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4
Take Ambien with a full glass of water. If you have stomach irritation, you may want to take Ambien with food to lessen the irritability.
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5
Swallow the time-release capsule whole. Do not crush, chew or break a time-release capsule open. Breaking the capsule will cause too much of the medication to be released into your body at once, possibly causing an overdose.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful when driving, flying, operating heavy machinery or performing any task that requires alertness until you are sure of the effects of Ambien on you during normal waking hours.
Ambien can be addictive. Ambien should only be used by the person it was prescribed to and then only at the prescribed dose.
Talk to your doctor before taking Ambien if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts or a history of drug addiction.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, could become pregnant or are breast-feeding before taking Ambien.
Side effects that are less serious and do not require the stoppage of Ambien include daytime drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, headache, amnesia, forgetfulness, abnormal dreams, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and blurred vision. If the problems persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
Inform your doctor before taking Ambien if you are taking or have recently taken itraconazole, rifampin, imipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxants, seizure medicine or anti-anxiety medicine. You may not be able to take Ambien or your dosage may have to be adjusted.
Older adults should use caution while walking when using Ambien. The effects of Ambien may be stronger in older adults.
Do not take Ambien unless you have a full seven to eight hours to devote to sleep. You will have an increased chance of injury while driving or operating machinery after taking Ambien if you do not have a full seven to eight hours of sleep.
Do not stop taking Ambien suddenly if you have been taking it for more than a few days. Ambien is an addictive medication, and you will likely suffer withdrawal symptoms from a sudden stoppage.
Ambien should never be taken by anyone under the age of 18.
Insomnia will likely return if you stop taking Ambien. The insomnia may be worse than before you began taking Ambien. Contact your doctor if insomnia is worse when you stop taking Ambien.
Contact a doctor immediately if you begin to have worsening sleep problems, depression, thoughts of suicide, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger, aggression agitation, confusion, hallucinations or loss of personality.
