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Ambien
This page contains drug information on Ambien.
The information provided includes the following:
- what is Ambien
- the possible side effects of Ambien
- what happens if you miss a dose of Ambien
- what happens if you overdose with Ambien
- the most important information about Ambien
- how to use Ambien
- other drugs that may affect Ambien
- what to avoid while using Ambien
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Generic Name: zolpidem (zole PI dem)
Brand Names:
Ambien
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What is the most important information I should know about
zolpidem?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Zolpidem will cause drowsiness and
may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. Zolpidem should be taken just before
bedtime. You may experience some carryover effects the next day. |
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Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol will
increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are
taking zolpidem, which could be dangerous. |
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Do not stop taking zolpidem suddenly if you have been taking
it for more than 1 or 2 weeks. This may cause withdrawal
symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor
if you need to stop treatment with zolpidem. |
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Zolpidem is in a class of drugs called sedative/ hypnotics or
sleep medications. Zolpidem affects chemicals in your brain that
may become unbalanced and cause insomnia. |
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Zolpidem induces sleep and causes relaxation. It is used to
treat sleep disorders such as trouble falling asleep,
waking up many times during the night, or waking up too early in
the morning. Zolpidem is for short-term use only--usually 7 to
10 days. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor. |
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Zolpidem may also be used for purposes other than those listed
in this medication guide. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you |
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have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another
respiratory disease; or |
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are depressed or have suicidal thoughts. |
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You may not be able to take zolpidem, or you may require a
lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have
any of the conditions listed above. |
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Zolpidem is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that
it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take zolpidem
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant during treatment. |
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Zolpidem passes into breast milk and may affect a
nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from zolpidem. You may require a lower
dose of this medication. |
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Zolpidem is not approved by the FDA for use by children
younger than 18 years of age. |
How should I take zolpidem?
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Take zolpidem exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Take zolpidem just before you go to bed. It will make you
drowsy, and you could fall and hurt yourself if you take your
dose before you are ready for sleep. |
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Take zolpidem only if you are able to get a full night's sleep
before you must be active again. |
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Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. |
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Do not stop taking zolpidem suddenly if you have been taking
it for more than 1 or 2 weeks. This may cause withdrawal
symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you
need to stop treatment with zolpidem. |
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Store zolpidem at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Since zolpidem is usually taken only if you need it to help
you sleep, missing a dose will not cause any problems. Take the
missed dose only if you can be sure that you will get 7 or 8
full hours of sleep after the dose. If you do not sleep for 7 or
8 full hours, you may experience carryover effects from zolpidem
after you wake up. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a zolpidem overdose may include sleepiness,
confusion, dizziness, difficult or slow breathing, and
unconsciousness. |
What should I avoid while taking zolpidem?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Zolpidem will cause drowsiness and
may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. Zolpidem should be taken just before
bedtime. You may experience some carryover effects the next day. |
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Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol will
increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are
taking zolpidem, which could be dangerous. |
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Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers,
including over-the-counter preparations. They should not be used
while you are taking zolpidem unless your doctor directs
otherwise. |
What are the possible side effects of zolpidem?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking zolpidem and seek emergency medical attention: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of
your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; hives); or |
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hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or severe confusion. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take zolpidem and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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headache, drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness; |
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; |
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vivid or abnormal dreams; or |
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amnesia (memory loss) after a dose. |
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A problem that may occur when sleep medicines are stopped is
known as "rebound insomnia." This means that a person
may have more trouble sleeping the first few nights after the
medicine is stopped than before starting the medicine. If you
should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged. This
problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights |
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Zolpidem is habit forming. Stopping this medication suddenly
can cause withdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously
for several weeks. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of
this medication. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect zolpidem?
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Zolpidem may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
other sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers,
anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about
all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine
unless your doctor approves. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
zolpidem. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about zolpidem
written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use
this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an
informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve
consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a
substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given
drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to
indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any
responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with
the aid of information Multum provides. The information
contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist. |
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