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Description
If you're suffering from insomnia, ask your doctor about AMBIEN (Ambien ( Zolpidem ) tartrate), the most prescribed sleep medication in the United States.Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic used for the sho
rt-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep). 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
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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
It is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness)
or
- Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g.
, Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil])¡XThe CNS depressant effects of either these medicines or zolpidem may be increased, possibly
leading to unwanted effects
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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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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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How should you take this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any m
edication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Even though zolpidem is taken at bedtime,
it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Also, this medicine may cause double vision or other vision problems. Make sure you know how you react to zolpidem before you drive,
use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy, or are not alert or able to see well.
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