Prescribing Ambien CR?

Ambien (generic name Zolpidem) is a prescription medication used to help adult patients fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Ambien may be prescribed to people who have trouble falling asleep like myself, people who wake up too early in the mornings, or people who awaken frequently throughout the night. It is one of the most commonly prescribed prescription sleep aids in the World.

Ambien is a tablet that should be swallowed whole and manufacturers recommend taking Ambien with water. Ambien works relatively quickly, causing sleepiness within fifteen to thirty minutes, so users should be sure that they take Ambien only when they are ready to go to bed. Users should not attempt to drive or operate machinery after taking Ambien.

The makers of Ambien have recently introduced a new product called Ambien CR. Ambien CR is a two-layer tablet. The first layer dissolves quickly to induce sleep, the second layer provides "continued release" to help users remain asleep. Like regular Ambien, Ambien CR should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed. There are some warnings that should be heeded when using this prescription medication. Ambien has been approved for use only in adults only. Anyone under eighteen should not use Ambien. Do not combine Ambien and alcohol.

Furthermore, like most other medications that promote sleep, Ambien can be habit-forming. Ideally it should be used only in the case of occasional insomnia. Talk with your doctor if you find yourself using it every night for a week or more. If you have been using Ambien every night for over a week, do not stop taking it suddenly. You could experience symptoms of withdrawal. If you wish to stop taking Ambien, your doctor can help you slowly titrate the dose down to avoid withdrawal.

Like any other medication, Ambien is not without side effects. The most common side effects are sleepiness, dizziness, light-headedness, and lack of coordination. Some people report temporary forgetfulness after taking Ambien. Research has shown that these side effects may be minimized if the patient can sleep for seven to eight hours after taking the medication.
Patients who feel drowsy and light-headed throughout the day after taking Ambien may be using too high a dose. Work with your doctor to determine the lowest possible dose of Ambien needed to induce sleep. If you use Ambien long term, you may need to slowly increase the dose over time as your body becomes used to it.

In rare cases, people using Ambien have reported symptoms of severe depression and even suicidal thoughts. If you become depressed or suicidal while taking Ambien, let your doctor know right away. Even more rarely, Ambien has been associated with walking in one's sleep. Some people report eating large amounts in their sleep, engaging in internet shopping or sexual activity, or even driving a car. While these cases are definitely the exception and not the rule, let your doctor know immediately about any unusual changes in your behavior.

Overall, when used appropriately, Ambien is a safe and effective sleep aid. If you suffer from insomnia more than a few nights a week, you may want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of giving Ambien a try.