Ambien

Ambien is a medication doctors commonly prescribe for insomnia and other sleep disorders. People taking Ambien are usually suffering from insomnia for some period of time prior to receiving the medication to treat their sleep disorder.

Ambien helps people get to sleep when they are having difficulty falling asleep. Doctors do not usually prescribe Ambien to patients with the intention of long-term use of the medication. The use of Ambien depends on the person taking the medication. Physicians must prescribe Ambien, as it is not available over the counter.

Ambien Warnings and Precautions

Patients taking Ambien should tell their doctor or pharmacist if they are allergic to Ambien or if they have any other allergies. Patients should also tell their doctor or pharmacist of their medical history particularly if there is a history of liver or kidney disease, mood issues such as depression, personal or family history of abuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances, breathing problems and certain muscle diseases.

Ambien causes drowsiness and can cause dizziness. Patients taking Ambien should not drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how Ambien will affect them. Patients should not drink alcohol while taking Ambien.

Children are more likely to experience hallucinations while taking Ambien. The risk of a child experiencing hallucinations increases in children who suffer from attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Elderly patients are also more sensitive to the effects of Ambien, particularly dizziness and severe drowsiness.

Women who are pregnant should not take Ambien. Women who take Ambien near the time of delivery may give birth to infants who suffer withdrawal symptoms post birth. Women who are breastfeeding their babies or who plan to breastfeed their babies should consult their physicians about their use of Ambien while breastfeeding.

Ambien can be habit forming and doctors do not recommend Ambien for long-term use to treat insomnia.

Ambien Uses

Doctors prescribe Ambien to patients to treat insomnia. Ambien helps patients with insomnia and other disruptive sleep disorders to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and help patients to wake up fewer times during the night. Ambien produces a calming effect in the brain.

Dosages of Ritalin and Adderal are usually unique to each patient. Doctors determine the appropriate dosages for their patients based upon the patients, age, weight and symptoms as well as a few other factors.

Ambien Side Effects

Common side effects of Ambien include dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, upset stomach, dry mouth and diarrhea. Patients taking Ambien should get up slowly when standing from a seated position or when standing after lying down so they can minimize their risk of falls.

Serious side effects that can occur include pounding heartbeat, unusual tiredness, and mood changes, worsening depression, thoughts of suicide, aggressive behavior, hallucinations, memory loss and unsteadiness.

Some patients report getting out of bed and driving while not fully awake. Sleep walking, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, and having sex, all while not fully awake are rare side effects of Ambien.

Rarely patients have an allergic reaction to Ambien. Symptoms of Allergic reaction include rash, itching and swelling of the tongue, face or throat, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

Ambien Interactions

Patients who are taking sodium oxybate should not take Ambien due to the risk of a serious drug interaction. Patients currently taking sodium oxybate should tell their doctor or pharmacist before starting their Ambien prescription. Patients should also tell their physician or pharmacist of all medications they are currently taking including over the counter medications and herbal supplements, particularly if they are taking any medications that affect their liver enzymes which remove Ambien from the body. Patients should also tell their doctor or pharmacist if they are taking any medications that cause drowsiness.

Ambien Overdose

Overdoses of Ambien do occur. Symptoms of Ambien overdose include slowed breathing or a very deep sleep from which it is not possible to wake the patient taking the Ambien prescription.