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How does Ambien work?

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How does Ambien work?

Ambien is an imidazopyridine derivative. It acts as a rapidly over a short time to reduce the general level of electrical activity in particular areas of the brain associated with sleep. In turn, this helps you to go to sleep, usually within about fifteen minutes of taking it.

Ambien CR is a different version of Ambien used to minimise the worst effects of insomnia. The tablet has two layers:

the surface layer breaks down rapidly and usually induces sleep within fifteen minutes; and
the inner layer breaks down more slowly and keeps you asleep for longer.

Until you build up experience in using Ambien CR, you should spend at least seven hours either sleeping or resting before being active again. It can cause you to be very drowsy when you awake so do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert.

Dosage and administration

If there is anything that you do not understand about Ambien, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain. It is supplied in tablet form as doses of 5mg and 10mg, which should be taken without food just before your normal bedtime. If you take the pill on a full stomach, it will take longer to produce its effect. Do not be taken by surprise. Ambien is designed to induce sleep rapidly. You should be ready to go to bed immediately after swallowing the pill, and stay in bed for at least seven hours. If you get up too soon, you may experience memory problems. For Ambien CR, you must remember to take them whole. Do not crush or chew them.

The maximum safe daily dose for an adult is 10mg. If you forget to take a dose, never double the next dose. It is dangerous to exceed this dose because it may lead to dependence. If you do take more than you should over a longer period of time, consult your doctor before stopping. There may be withdrawal symptoms to manage.

The general rule for prescribing Ambien is that it should not be taken for more than ten days in any given run of treatment. Alternatively, the pills are taken intermittently as and when needed. The aim of these limitations is to reduce the risks of addiction or dependence.

As to storage, you should keep the tablets at room temperature in an airtight container. Avoid excess heat and moisture (so do not keep Ambien in the bathroom) and keep it out of the reach of children.

Warnings

You should not take Ambien when you have consumed alcohol or when you have a history of alcohol or recreational drug taking. Alcohol has an additive effect when mixed with Ambien. Further, if you are already addicted to alcohol or recreational drugs, you may also become dependent on Ambien.

There are further situations in which you should not take Ambien. Your doctor or pharamicst will advise you.

Possible side-effects of Ambien

Very few people experience any side-effects when they take Ambien, but tell your doctor if you experience:

drowsiness that does not clear quickly;
headaches, some dizziness or a slight lack of co-ordination;
any physical weakness or a slight trembling in your limbs;
changes to your appetite or problems with your digestive system;
any unusual dreams; or
heavy menstrual bleeding.

In rare cases, you may experience more serious symptoms of swelling, difficulty in breathing and chest pains. In all such cases, call a doctor immediately.

Similarly, all sleep medicines can produce dependence. If you take Ambien regularly over a period of weeks and months, or you take a higher than recommended dosage, you may find yourself addicted. If you stop taking Ambien before you are completely dependent, the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be merely unpleasant. Once you are addicted, however, it is possible that you may experience cramp in your muscles, vomiting, sweating, shakiness and, in very rare cases, you may suffer seizures.

Finally, remember that if you go for day surgery or to the dentist and propose to have treatment involving the use of anaesthetics, you must disclose the fact that you are taking Ambien.