alternative to ambien

What is the most important information I should know about Ambien?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities.Ambien will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness alternative to ambien. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.Ambien should be taken justbefore bedtime alternative to ambien. You may experience some carryover effects the next day alternative to ambien.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Ambien alternative to ambien. Alcohol will increase drowsinessand may increase dizziness while you are taking Ambien, which could be dangerous alternative to ambien.
• Do not stop taking Ambien suddenly if you have been taking it for morethan 1 or 2 weeks alternative to ambien. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable alternative to ambien. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with Ambien alternative to ambien.

What is Ambien?
• Ambien is in a class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics or sleep medications alternative to ambien. Ambien affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and causeinsomnia alternative to ambien.
• Ambien induces sleep and causes relaxation alternative to ambien. It is used to treat sleepdisorders such as trouble falling asleep, waking up many times during the night,or waking up too early in the morning alternative to ambien. Ambien is for short-term use only--usually7 to 10 days alternative to ambien. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor alternative to ambien.
• Ambien may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide alternative to ambien.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ambien?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory disease;or
· are depressed or have suicidal thoughts alternative to ambien.
• You may not be able to take Ambien, or you may require a lower dose orspecial monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove alternative to ambien.
• Ambien is in the FDA pregnancy category B alternative to ambien. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby alternative to ambien. Do not take Ambien without first talking to your doctorif you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment alternative to ambien.
• Ambien passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby alternative to ambien. Do nottake this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby alternative to ambien.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects from Ambien alternative to ambien. You may require a lower dose of this medication alternative to ambien.
• Ambien is not approved by the FDA for use by children younger than 18years of age alternative to ambien.

How should I take Ambien?
• Take Ambien exactly as directed by your doctor alternative to ambien. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you alternative to ambien.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water alternative to ambien.
• Take Ambien just before you go to bed alternative to ambien. It will make you drowsy, and youcould fall and hurt yourself if you take your dose before you are ready forsleep alternative to ambien.
• Take Ambien only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before youmust be active again alternative to ambien.
• Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you alternative to ambien.
• Do not stop taking Ambien suddenly if you have been taking it for morethan 1 or 2 weeks alternative to ambien. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable alternative to ambien. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with Ambien alternative to ambien.
• Store Ambien at room temperature away from moisture and heat alternative to ambien.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Since Ambien is usually taken only if you need it to help you sleep,missing a dose will not cause any problems alternative to ambien. Take the missed dose only if youcan be sure that you will get 7 or 8 full hours of sleep after the dose alternative to ambien. Ifyou do not sleep for 7 or 8 full hours, you may experience carryover effectsfrom Ambien after you wake up alternative to ambien.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention alternative to ambien.
• Symptoms of a Ambien overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, dizziness,difficult or slow breathing, and unconsciousness alternative to ambien.

What should I avoid while taking Ambien?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities alternative to ambien. Ambien will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness alternative to ambien. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities alternative to ambien. Ambien should be taken justbefore bedtime alternative to ambien. You may experience some carryover effects the next day alternative to ambien.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Ambien alternative to ambien. Alcohol will increase drowsinessand may increase dizziness while you are taking Ambien, which could be dangerous alternative to ambien.
• Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers, including over-the-counterpreparations alternative to ambien. They should not be used while you are taking Ambien unless yourdoctor directs otherwise alternative to ambien.

What are the possible side effects of Ambien?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingAmbien and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; hives); or
· hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or severe confusion alternative to ambien.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur alternative to ambien. Continueto take Ambien and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache, drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness;
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· depression;
· muscle aches or pains;
· vivid or abnormal dreams; or
· amnesia (memory loss) after a dose alternative to ambien.
• A problem that may occur when sleep medicines are stopped is known as"rebound insomnia." This means that a person may have more troublesleeping the first few nights after the medicine is stopped than before startingthe medicine alternative to ambien. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged alternative to ambien. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights
• Ambien is habit forming alternative to ambien. Stopping this medication suddenly can causewithdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously for several weeks alternative to ambien. Talkto your doctor about the safe use of this medication alternative to ambien.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur alternative to ambien. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome alternative to ambien.

What other drugs will affect Ambien?
• Ambien may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness,including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, other sedatives (used totreat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants alternative to ambien. Tellyour doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicineunless your doctor approves alternative to ambien.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ambien alternative to ambien. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products alternative to ambien.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Ambien written for healthprofessionals that you may read alternative to ambien.

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