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

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

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

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

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

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

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