Sleep easy with Ambien

Dosage and administration

As with all prescription medications, Ambien should be treated with respect. Like the older benzodiazepines, it is a powerful drug that puts you to sleep more rapidly and keeps you asleep longer. You should follow the directions given by your physician or, if you buy Ambien online, as set out in the notes supplied with the medication. Store the tablets at room temperature in an airtight container and keep them out of the reach of children.

It is supplied in tablet form as doses of 5mg and 10mg. If you have liver problems, e.g. because of hepatitis, you should only take the smaller dose. Similarly, if you are aged over fifty-five years, Ambien clears from your body more slowly so you should only take the smaller dose. Take Ambien without food just before your normal bedtime. If you take the pill on a full stomach, it will take longer to produce its effect. Do not be taken by surprise. Ambien sends you to sleep quickly. You should swallow the tablet and lie down. Plan to spend at least seven hours in bed. If you get up too soon, you may experience memory problems. Do not crush or chew Ambien CR. Swallow the tablet whole with some water.

The safe daily maximum dose is 10mg and it should not be taken for longer than ten days at a time. Exceeding this dose is dangerous because it may lead to dependence. If you are tempted to take more than you should over a longer period of time, consult your physician before stopping. There is a risk that you will experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly.

Warnings

Do not take Ambien after drinking alcohol. It has an additive effect when mixed with Ambien. If you are already addicted to alcohol or recreational drugs, you may also become dependent on Ambien.

Ambien slows your breathing so it can be dangerous if you have asthma, sleep apnoea (a condition where you may briefly stop breathing while asleep) or one of the other respiratory diseases.

Do not take Ambien if you have mysathenia gravis (a condition where your muscles tire easily and become weak).

Taking Ambien during pregnancy is dangerous. It can sedate your baby in the womb, possibly causing your baby to be born dependent on Ambien. Similarly, Ambien comes into your milk so you should not breast-feed your baby.

Because of the additive effects, do not mix Ambien with other sedative and tranquillising drugs.

Ambien may affect your mood. If you become more aggressive, hallucinate, lose concentration or have memory problems, tell your physician immediately.

Ambien's side effects

Ambien has few side effects but, if you experience any of the following symptoms at a worrying level, consult your physician:
• drowsiness that does not clear quickly;
• headaches;
• dizziness and a slight lack of co-ordination;
• physical weakness and a slight trembling in your limbs;
• heartburn or problems with digestion;
• constipation or diarrhoea;
• muscular aches or pain in your neck and back;
• any unusual dreams; or
• heavy menstrual bleeding.

Exceptionally, if you experience more serious symptoms of swelling, difficulty in breathing and chest pains, call a physician immediately.

There can be memory problems after taking Ambien. These are not usually a problem because you fall asleep. But should you wake while the drug is still active in your body, there is a risk of "sleep walking" and other activities that you will not remember.

So long as you take Ambien as directed by your physician, there should be little risk of dependence. But if you do not respect the drug, you are likely to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. If you are unlucky enough to become addicted, you may experience cramp, vomiting, sweating, shakiness and, in very rare cases, seizures if you stop suddenly.

Finally, remember that if you go for day surgery or to the dentist and propose to have treatment involving the use of anaesthetics, you must disclose the fact that you are taking Ambien.