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

What is Ambien?
• Ambien is in a class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics or sleep medications generic name for ambien. Ambien affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and causeinsomnia generic name for ambien.
• Ambien induces sleep and causes relaxation generic name for 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 generic name for ambien. Ambien is for short-term use only--usually7 to 10 days generic name for ambien. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor generic name for ambien.
• Ambien may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide generic name for 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 generic name for 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 generic name for ambien.
• Ambien is in the FDA pregnancy category B generic name for ambien. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby generic name for ambien. Do not take Ambien without first talking to your doctorif you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment generic name for ambien.
• Ambien passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby generic name for ambien. Do nottake this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby generic name for ambien.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects from Ambien generic name for ambien. You may require a lower dose of this medication generic name for ambien.
• Ambien is not approved by the FDA for use by children younger than 18years of age generic name for ambien.

How should I take Ambien?
• Take Ambien exactly as directed by your doctor generic name for ambien. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you generic name for ambien.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water generic name for ambien.
• Take Ambien just before you go to bed generic name for ambien. It will make you drowsy, and youcould fall and hurt yourself if you take your dose before you are ready forsleep generic name for ambien.
• Take Ambien only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before youmust be active again generic name for ambien.
• Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you generic name for ambien.
• Do not stop taking Ambien suddenly if you have been taking it for morethan 1 or 2 weeks generic name for ambien. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable generic name for ambien. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with Ambien generic name for ambien.
• Store Ambien at room temperature away from moisture and heat generic name for 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 generic name for ambien. Take the missed dose only if youcan be sure that you will get 7 or 8 full hours of sleep after the dose generic name for ambien. Ifyou do not sleep for 7 or 8 full hours, you may experience carryover effectsfrom Ambien after you wake up generic name for ambien.

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

What should I avoid while taking Ambien?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities generic name for ambien. Ambien will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness generic name for ambien. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities generic name for ambien. Ambien should be taken justbefore bedtime generic name for ambien. You may experience some carryover effects the next day generic name for ambien.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Ambien generic name for ambien. Alcohol will increase drowsinessand may increase dizziness while you are taking Ambien, which could be dangerous generic name for ambien.
• Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers, including over-the-counterpreparations generic name for ambien. They should not be used while you are taking Ambien unless yourdoctor directs otherwise generic name for 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 generic name for ambien.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur generic name for 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 generic name for 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 generic name for ambien. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged generic name for ambien. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights
• Ambien is habit forming generic name for ambien. Stopping this medication suddenly can causewithdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously for several weeks generic name for ambien. Talkto your doctor about the safe use of this medication generic name for ambien.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur generic name for ambien. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome generic name for 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 generic name for ambien. Tellyour doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicineunless your doctor approves generic name for ambien.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ambien generic name for ambien. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products generic name for ambien.

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

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