compare ambien to halcion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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