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

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

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

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

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

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

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