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Side Effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Ambien ( Zolpidem ) and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; s
welling of your lips, face, or tongue; hives); or hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or severe confusion. ? Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Ambien ( Zolp
idem ) and talk to your doctor if you experience headache, drowsiness, di
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Proper Use of This Medicine
Since Ambien ( 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 Ambien ( Zolpidem ) after you wake up.
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Cautions
If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking zolpidem, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are li
ke those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression hallucinations (seeing,
hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability
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Stop Using This Medicine
After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this time check w
ith your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:
Abdominal or stomach cramps or discomfort; agitation, nervousness, or feelings of panic; convulsions (seizures); flushing;
lightheadedness ; muscle cramps; nausea ; sweating; tremors; uncontrolled crying; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; worsening of mental or emotional problems
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Description
Ambien ( Zolpidem ) is in a class of drugs called sedative / hypnotics or sleep medications. Ambien ( Zolpidem ) affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause insomnia. Ambien (
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. Ambie
n ( Zolpidem ) is for short-term use only--usually 7 to 10 days. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor. Ambien ( Zolpidem ) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thi
s medication guide.
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What special precautions should I follow?
Sleep medicines may cause a special type of memory loss or ``amnesia''. When this occurs, a person does not remember what has happened during the several hours between use of the medicine and the time
when its effects wear off. This is usually not a problem since most people fall asleep after taking the medicine. In most instances, memory problems can be avoided by taking zolpidem only when you ar
e able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think you are having memory problems.
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