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

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

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

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Ambien written for healthprofessionals that you may read long term side effects of ambien.

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