ambien and the new england journal of medicine

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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.Ambien should be taken justbefore bedtime ambien and the new england journal of medicine. You may experience some carryover effects the next day ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Ambien ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Alcohol will increase drowsinessand may increase dizziness while you are taking Ambien, which could be dangerous ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Do not stop taking Ambien suddenly if you have been taking it for morethan 1 or 2 weeks ambien and the new england journal of medicine. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with Ambien ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

What is Ambien?
• Ambien is in a class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics or sleep medications ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Ambien affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and causeinsomnia ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Ambien induces sleep and causes relaxation ambien and the new england journal of medicine. 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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Ambien is for short-term use only--usually7 to 10 days ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Ambien may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• 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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Ambien is in the FDA pregnancy category B ambien and the new england journal of medicine. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Do not take Ambien without first talking to your doctorif you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Ambien passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Do nottake this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects from Ambien ambien and the new england journal of medicine. You may require a lower dose of this medication ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Ambien is not approved by the FDA for use by children younger than 18years of age ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

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

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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Take the missed dose only if youcan be sure that you will get 7 or 8 full hours of sleep after the dose ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Ifyou do not sleep for 7 or 8 full hours, you may experience carryover effectsfrom Ambien after you wake up ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

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

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

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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur ambien and the new england journal of medicine. 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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• 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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged ambien and the new england journal of medicine. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights
• Ambien is habit forming ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Stopping this medication suddenly can causewithdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously for several weeks ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Talkto your doctor about the safe use of this medication ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

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 ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Tellyour doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicineunless your doctor approves ambien and the new england journal of medicine.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ambien ambien and the new england journal of medicine. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Ambien written for healthprofessionals that you may read ambien and the new england journal of medicine.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.