Ambien

Ambien (zolpidem) is supposed to be used by people suffering from insomnia and can be taken either when needed or on the regular basis, but not more than 5 weeks in a row. Taking Ambien for a long time or at high doses can be dangerous, as you can develop an addiction. Make sure you tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications that have been reported to cause interference with Ambien, such as itraconazole, rifampin, chlorpromazine, antidepressants, or ketoconazole. If you are using any other over-the-counter or prescription medications, as well as herbal supplements, it’s best to tell your doctor about it as well. It’s important for your doctor to know that you have or used to have some medical problems that may affect your treatment in some way. Make sure you let your doctor know if you have any of the following: a mental illness, suicidal thoughts, liver disease, myasthenia gravis, a history of drug or alcohol addiction, kidney disease, lung disease, sleep apnea, or depression, as additional tests may be needed. Stuffy nose, nausea, dizziness, weakness, constipation, headache, amnesia, and muscle pain are most commonly reported mild side effects of Ambien that you don’t need to worry about. More serious side effects that need to be reported to your health care provider may include: aggression, confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts, depression, and anxiety. An overdose of this medicine can be fatal. Make sure you never exceed the dosage prescribed, as the following symptoms may take place: fainting, shallow breathing, coma, sleepiness, confusion, and lightheadedness. Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding are not supposed to take Ambien, as it can affect the health of their unborn or nursing baby. Ambien has been classified as FDA category C. This category means that the effects of this medicine have not been completely studied, but there is clear danger for your baby if you take it. Before you make any decision about taking Ambien, make sure you talk to your doctor and discuss all the risks and benefits of such treatment. It’s very important to store your medication right to make sure it is not going to be accessed by people to whom it was not prescribed, as well as that its properties will remain the same. This is why it’s recommended to store Ambien in a tightly close container away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight.