what does ambien do to make you sleep

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention what does ambien do to make you sleep.
• Symptoms of a Ambien overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, dizziness,difficult or slow breathing, and unconsciousness what does ambien do to make you sleep.

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

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Ambien written for healthprofessionals that you may read what does ambien do to make you sleep.

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