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Ambien

(other types of Ambien)
generic: Zolpidem Tartrate (learn more about brand vs. generic drugs)

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Information on Ambien

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Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .

Tablets
Chemical Name: ZOLPIDEM (zole-PI-dem)

Common uses
Ambien 10mg is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep medicine) used for short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble falling asleep).

Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Ambien 10mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE AMBIEN 10mg 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 10mg 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 10mg's side effects, especially dizziness, headache, and hallucinations. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Ambien 10mg.

Directions
Follow the directions for taking Ambien 10mg provided by your doctor. Ambien 10mg comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill Ambien 10mg. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Ambien 10mg. TAKE AMBIEN 10mg on an empty stomach at least 2 hours after a meal. Ambien 10mg works very quickly; use Ambien 10mg right before going to sleep. Use Ambien 10mg only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours). STORE AMBIEN 10mg at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF AMBIEN 10mg, 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.

Cautions
DO NOT USE AMBIEN 10mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Ambien 10mg. 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 10mg for longer than prescribed. Doing so may be habit-forming. If using Ambien 10mg for an extended period of time, DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP taking Ambien 10mg without your doctor's approval. AMBIEN 10mg MAY CAUSE drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Ambien 10mg 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 10mg; 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 10mg, 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 10mg 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 10mg 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 10mg or if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that may cause drowsiness while you use Ambien 10mg. 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 10mg with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness or drowsiness. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ambien 10mg while you are pregnant. AMBIEN 10mg MAY CAUSE PROLONGED SLEEP IN THE FETUS when used during the last weeks of pregnancy. AMBIEN 10mg IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use Ambien 10mg, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Ambien 10mg include diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; or stomach upset. 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, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; or vision changes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Ambien 10mg 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; or unusual hoarseness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. 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
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

If you take too much
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness or coma.

Additional information
AMBIEN 10mg 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 10mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE AMBIEN 10mg for other health conditions. KEEP AMBIEN 10mg out of the reach of children and pets.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2010. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.
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