Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Ambien Cr.
Chemical Name: ZOLPIDEM (zole-PI-dem)
Ambien Cr 12.5mg is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep medicine) used for the treatment of insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep).
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Ambien Cr 12.5mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE AMBIEN CR 12.5mg IF you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), or rifampin. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], sleep apnea), myasthenia gravis, metabolism problems, heart or blood pressure problems, very poor health, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mood or mental problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or alcohol or substance abuse or addiction. Ambien Cr 12.5mg should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Children may be more sensitive to Ambien Cr 12.5mg's side effects, especially dizziness, headache, and hallucinations. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Ambien Cr 12.5mg.
Follow the directions for taking Ambien Cr 12.5mg provided by your doctor. Ambien Cr 12.5mg comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill Ambien Cr 12.5mg. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Ambien Cr 12.5mg. TAKE AMBIEN CR 12.5mg by mouth on an empty stomach at least 2 hours after a meal. SWALLOW AMBIEN CR 12.5mg WHOLE. DO NOT BREAK, CRUSH, OR CHEW before swallowing. Ambien Cr 12.5mg works very quickly; use Ambien Cr 12.5mg right before going to sleep. Use Ambien Cr 12.5mg only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours). STORE AMBIEN CR 12.5mg at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures up to 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF AMBIEN CR 12.5mg, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once. DO NOT take more than your total daily dose in any 24-hour period.
DO NOT USE AMBIEN CR 12.5mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Ambien Cr 12.5mg. WHEN SLEEP MEDICINES ARE TAKEN EVERY NIGHT for more than a few weeks, they may lose their effectiveness. This is known as TOLERANCE. Sleep medicines should usually be used only for short periods of time, such as a few days and generally no longer than 1 or 2 weeks. If your sleep problems continue, contact your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take Ambien Cr 12.5mg for longer than prescribed. Doing so may be habit-forming. If using Ambien Cr 12.5mg for an extended period of time, DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP taking Ambien Cr 12.5mg without your doctor's approval. AMBIEN CR 12.5mg MAY CAUSE drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Ambien Cr 12.5mg with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. DO NOT drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness while you are using Ambien Cr 12.5mg; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. WHEN YOU FIRST START TAKING AMBIEN CR 12.5mg, it may have a "carryover" effect the next day. Use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness (eg, driving a car). SLEEP MEDICINES MAY CAUSE A SPECIAL TYPE OF MEMORY LOSS OR AMNESIA. To prevent memory problems, be sure to use Ambien Cr 12.5mg only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Talk to your health care provider if you think you are having memory problems. SOME PATIENTS TAKING AMBIEN CR 12.5mg have performed certain activities (eg, sleep-driving, making and eating food, making phone calls, having sex) while they were not fully awake. Patients often do not remember these events after they happen. Such an event may be more likely to occur if you use a high dose of Ambien Cr 12.5mg or if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that may cause drowsiness while you use Ambien Cr 12.5mg. Tell your doctor right away if such an event occurs. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use Ambien Cr 12.5mg with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness or drowsiness. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ambien Cr 12.5mg while you are pregnant. AMBIEN CR 12.5mg MAY CAUSE PROLONGED SLEEP OR SEVERE BREATHING PROBLEMS IN THE NEWBORN if you take it during the last weeks of pregnancy, especially if you take it with certain other medicines. AMBIEN CR 12.5mg IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use Ambien Cr 12.5mg, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Ambien Cr 12.5mg include dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; muscle aches; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset; or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety); new or worsening depression; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; or vision changes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Ambien Cr 12.5mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; throat closing; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Ambien Cr
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness or coma.
AMBIEN CR 12.5mg IS USUALLY USED ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. If your symptoms do not get better within 7 to 10 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE AMBIEN CR 12.5mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE AMBIEN CR 12.5mg for other health conditions. KEEP AMBIEN CR 12.5mg out of the reach of children and pets. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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