Ambien CR
Zolpidem
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Ambien CR
Ambien CR relates to sedative/hypnotics class of medications. The medicine acts by providing calming effect on your brain.
Theurapetic Uses of Ambien CR
The medication is applied to treat sleep problems. This drug will help you to fall asleep faster and sleep for a longer time as well as decrease the quantity of awakening throughout the night.
Direction of Use of Ambien CR
Carefully read the leaflet enclosed to the medication before starting the using of it. Contact your healthcare provider in case something remains unclear to you.
The medication is to be used orally before going to bed on an empty stomach or in accordance to your doctor directions. Avoid using the drug with food as this will decrease the effect of the drug.
The medication should be swallowed whole without chewing or crushing it. Otherwise this will decrease the period of drug action and increase its side effects.
The use of the medication may cause sometimes temporary memory loss. It is advised not to use the medication in case you won’t have sufficient time for a whole night sleep after it. For instance, don’t take the medication within the overnight air flight that will last less than 8 hours.
Prolonged use of the medication may cause withdrawal effects. Commonly such withdrawal effects as nausea, vomiting, flushing, stomach cramps, nervousness, or shakiness appear as soon as you stop using the drug suddenly. Thus your doctor may prescribe you gradual decrease of the dosage used to prevent any of these conditions.
The drug may also cause addiction though quite seldom. However avoid increasing the dosage or the frequency of the drug intake. Follow your doctor directions in stopping the therapy as this will help you to avoid possible addiction.
In case you feel that the effect of the drug decreased after the prolonged use of it contact your healthcare provider as you may need your dosage to be adjusted.
In the end of the therapy you may experience troubles in sleeping within first 2-3 nights. Such condition is called as rebound insomnia and it is quite normal one. Commonly you will overcome it in 1-2 nights. However you need to contact your doctor in case the effect remains the same or worsens.
Dose of Ambien CR, if Missed
In case you have missed to take the medication do it at the time you have remembered but only in case it is still you are going to bed. Otherwise skip the missed dose and follow your common dosing scheme. Avoid taking two dosages at once.
How to Store Ambien CR
The medication should be kept at the temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) in the place beyond the reach of the children or pets. It is also possible to keep the drug at the temperature of 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) within a short period of time. Don’t keep the drug in the bathroom.
In case you treatment period is over or you don’t need the drug anymore you should discard the medicine properly. Contact you healthcare provider to find out the details of the proper discarding the drug.
More Information About Ambien CR
Your doctor may already know about other medications you use thus don’t start, stop or change anyhow the dosages of the drugs taken within the Ambien CR treatment period without first consulting with your doctor.
Don’t use the medication in combination with the sodium oxybate as this may cause serious interaction. Let your doctor know in case you use this drug before you start Ambien CR treatment.
Also let your doctor know about all drugs you use before starting the treatment and especially of such as: azole antifungals - including ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors - including ritonavir, rifamycins-including rifampin.
Furthermore inform your doctor in case you use any medicines that may cause drowsiness like those below: certain antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, medicine for anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers, psychiatric medicines. Before starting the Ambien CR treatment look through the labels of drugs you use as they may contain certain components that will cause drowsiness.
In case you think you have an overdose of the medication contact your doctor as soon as possible. The possible sign of the overdose are slowed breathing or a deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.
Avoid sharing the drug with anyone else as this is illegal.
Commonly insomnia takes short time to be cured. However in case your treatment last over 2 weeks you may be need to pass certain laboratory test to monitor your condition.
Many people in ages experience troubles in falling asleep that are caused by the natural changes of the sleep pattern. Thus you should first talk to your doctor about possible ways of treating the insomnia without drugs. It may be done by decreasing caffeine or alcohol use, avoiding daily naps and trying to go to bed at the same time every day.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Ambien CR
Let your doctor know about all allergies you experience before starting the treatment.
Let your doctor know all your medical history and especially of such facts as: kidney, liver disease, mental problems, personal or family history of abuse of drugs/alcohol, lung/breathing problems, a certain muscle disease.
It is not advised to operate any machinery within the treatment period until you are sure you may perform it safely. The matter is the medication may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Don’t drink alcohol.
The use of the drug in children should be done with caution as they may have hallucinations.
The patients in ages should also take the drug with the caution as they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Contact your doctor in case you are within pregnancy or breast feeding period before starting the treatment. The matter is that the use of the medication may cause withdrawal effects in newborn babies.
Possible Adverse Effects of Ambien CR
The use of the drug may cause such side effects as: dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, and dry mouth. Avoid making fast and sudden movements to decrease the possibility of the falls. However contact your doctor in case these side effects remain or worsen.
Contact your doctor in case the drug makes you sleepy within the day. You may need your dosage to be adjusted somehow.
However many people using this medication don’t have any side effects at all.
But in case you experience any of the serious though rare side effects below contact your healthcare provider at once: fast/pounding heartbeat, unusual tiredness, mental/mood changes, memory loss, unsteadiness.
Let your doctor know in case you experience chest pain as this may be quite serious side effect.
The use of the medication may make people sleep-driving, sleep-walking and etc. This means that the patient is not completely awakened. This may be quite dangerous to the safety of the patient and other people. Contact your doctor at once in case you know you experience such condition. The risk of such condition appearance may be increased by the use of alcohol or other drug causing drowsiness within the treatment period.
Serious allergic reactions are quite seldom. Nevertheless contact your doctor at once incase you experience any of the following symptoms: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
You may also experience any other side effects not listed above. If so let your doctor know about the side effects you have.