Things you need to know about Ambien

 

What is Ambien?

Ambien (Zolpidem) got approved for medical use in the United States (U.S) in 1992. It falls in the schedule IV of controlled substances and belongs to the medication class known as Nonbarbiturate Hypnotic. Doctors prescribe Ambien to treat insomnia and any other conditions as they determine. It works by increasing GABA effects in the central nervous system by binding to GABAA receptors at the same location as benzodiazepines. Being an FDA-approved drug, Ambien is only available with a proper prescription from a doctor, and you can take Ambien orally.

What to know before taking Ambien?

Please do consider the following points before taking Ambien:

●     Ambien is a habit-forming medication; addiction, abuse, or misuse can be life-threatening.

●     Health authorities have not approved Ambien for patients below 18 years of age.

●     Take Ambien only when your doctor prescribed you for that.

●     You probably know that buying and selling Ambien without a proper prescription is an offense under the law.

●     Avoid taking Ambien if you are allergic to it or its components or similar medicines.

●     Ambien contains a considerable amount of lactose; your doctor will not advise you to take Ambien if you are allergic to lactose.

●     To ensure that taking Ambien is safe for you; please tell your doctor if you have or ever had the following health disorder:

○     Depression

○     Psychotic disorder or any other mental illness

○     Addiction to drugs or alcohol or history thereof

○     Lungs disease

○     Difficulty in breathing

○     Sleep apnea (breathing that stops while sleeping)

○     Damaged liver

○     Kidney disease

●     Breast-feeding might not be safe while taking Ambien. Do consult your doctor for that.

●     Using Ambien during the last trimester of the pregnancy may make the child physically and mentally dependent on this drug.

●     It is obvious to be a little forgetful while using Ambien, but if you feel this is creating blunders in your life, consult your doctor.

●     Tell your doctor about all your medical history and medicines you are currently taking as some medications may interact with Ambien. These interactions can be fatal or may increase the risks of certain side effects.

●     Avoid using herbal products, vitamins or other nutritional supplements, and other over-the-counter medications while using Ambien.

●     Take proper and sound sleep of seven to eight hours after taking Ambien; otherwise, you may suffer from amnesia.

●     You can consult your doctor to learn more about the risks and benefits associated with Ambien.

How to take Ambien?

It is essential to take Ambien as prescribed by your doctor. Take care of all the instructions and directions given on the prescription or medicine label. Please don't use it more often than recommended and tell your doctor if you do not observe any improvement in your condition. Avoid medical errors and try to be consistent throughout the treatment. You should talk to your doctor about all the necessary precautions that you should take while using the said medication.

Store Ambien properly at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of the children; they may misuse it. After completing your treatment, you should talk to pharmacists or chemists near you regarding the proper disposal of leftover medicine.

Ambien dosage

Your doctor should prescribe you the lowest possible dose in starting and then gradually increase or decrease your medicine dose according to your health condition. To determine a suitable dosage, they should make a full and proper medical checkup of the patient.   

Your doctor will recommend Ambien depending on several factors such as:

●     Your age

●     Your weight

●     Your medical condition

●     Other health disorder you already have

●     How you responded to the first dose of the medicine

The following is the usual Ambien dose that a doctor can prescribe according to different medical conditions:

Dosage for treating insomnia

In the form of extended-release tablets

●     For older adults

Your doctor may prescribe you 6.25 mg of the medicine that you are required to take once a day before sleeping.

●     For adults

6.25 mg of medicine (for female patients) and 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg of Ambien extended-release tablets (for male patients) once a day before sleeping.

●     For children

Health authorities have not approved Ambien for patients below 18 years of age.

In the form of oral tablets

●     For older adults

5 mg of the medicine once a day before sleeping

●     For adults

5 mg of medication (for female patients) and 5 mg to 10 mg of Ambien (for male patients) once a day before sleeping.

●     For children

Health authorities have not approved Ambien for patients below 18 years of age.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms after using Ambien in excess includes the following:

●     Sleepiness

●     Confusion

●     Shallow breathing

●     Lightheadedness

●     Unconsciousness

●     Coma 

If you ever experience uneasiness after taking this medicine or feel an Ambien overdose, please consult your doctor ASAP and ask for medical help. You can also seek emergency medical assistance by calling the poison helpline at 1-800-222-1222

What to avoid while using Ambien?

Avoid traveling while using Ambien. Taking Ambien can impair your thinking and reactions; be careful while driving or doing some activity that requires attention and alertness. Please don't take Ambien if you have taken alcohol.

Ambien side effects

Some of the common side effects that one can experience after using Ambien include the following:

●     Day-time drowsiness

●     Dizziness

●     Weakness

●     Lightheadedness

●     Tiredness

●     Loss of coordination

●     Stuffy nose

●     Dry mouth

●     Irritation in the nose or throat

●     Nausea

●     Constipation

●     Diarrhea

●     Upset stomach

●     Headache

●     Pain in the muscles

It is evident to experience mild side effects symptoms, and they will be okay after a while, but if these symptoms do not get well or become even worst, you should call your doctor ASAP and ask for medical help. Please stop taking medicine any more and tell your doctor if you experience any of the following health issues:

●     Pain in the chest

●     Irregular heartbeats

●     Breathlessness

●     Difficulty in breathing or swallowing

●     Lightheadedness

Source-  You Can also Buy Ambien Online