Ambien CR(Zolpidem Tartrate) - Ambien CR Side Effects, Ambien CR dosage
Ambien CR is a drug designed for adults suffering from insomnia. It usually comes in an extended-release tablet. Its generic name is Zolpidem tartrate, which is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class. It is a sedative, which is also known as hypnotic. This drug is available in 6.25mg and 12.5mg strength tablets.
Ambien CR Primary Uses:
Ambien CR is designed to treat insomnia in adults. It functions in two layers. First, it helps one fall asleep. Second, it makes one stay asleep. It is specifically formulated to help one overcome sleeping problems. It works by affecting the chemicals that may have caused the sleep problems.
Other Uses For Ambien CR
It is said that this drug has also other medical functions. But it has not been specified what are its other uses. To confirm this, consult a doctor or a pharmacist.
Ambien CR Side Effects:
Some people may experience side effects when taking the drug. These could be either minor or severe. These are the common Ambien CR Side Effects:
Minor Ambien CR side effects
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose
- Blurred vision
- Daytime drowsiness
- Weakness
- Light-headedness
- Headache
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea and constipation
- Abnormal dreams
Major Ambien CR side effects
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Depression
- Unusual thoughts
- Anxiety, aggression, agitation
- Change in personality
- Risk-taking behavior
- Decreased inhibitions
- Allergic reactions
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Swelling of lips, throat, tongue
Consult your doctor so that you will know if you are still allowed to take the drug in lower dosage or if you are really advised not to take the drug.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Abrupt stop of taking Ambien CR after a long period of using it daily can cause withdrawal symptoms. The common symptoms are as follows:
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Tremors and seizures
- Stomach cramps
- Panic attack
- Irritability
Normally, when the symptoms are just mild, they would likely disappear on their own. However, severe symptoms need to be consulted to the doctor for immediate treatment. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, slowly wean yourself to the drug until you come to the point of completely stopping it.
How to Take Ambien CR:
Ambien CR should be taken once a day. The tablet should not be broken, chewed, or crushed. Swallow it whole and drink a full glass of water. You should take the drug right before you go to bed. Do not take it earlier, especially in the morning, unless you want to sleep in the morning. The dose depends on what is prescribed to you: For adults, the recommended Ambien CR dosage is 12.5 mg. This should only be taken once a day immediate to bedtime. Older patients and those who are debilitated are only prescribed to take 6.5mg per day. If the patient is taking other CNS depressant, the Ambien CR dosage should be adjusted and lowered so as to avoid drug dependency or addiction. Most importantly, do not take more than what is prescribed.
What to avoid when taking Ambien CR:
There are things and meds that you should avoid when you take Ambien CR. Some meds and conditions may interact with the drug which could cause serious health issues.
Do not take this drug if you are taking any of the following medications, for their interaction with Ambien CR could lead to serious health problems.
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Itraconazole (Sporanox)
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
- Rifampin
- Rifadin
- Rimactane
- Rifater
- Antidepressants
- Imipramine (Janimine,Tofranil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
Seek medical advice before taking the drug if you have any of these medical conditions:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep)
- lung disease
- asthma
- bronchitis
- emphysema
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
- myasthenia gravis
- history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal tendency
- history of drug or alcohol addiction
You should seek medical advice regarding the interaction of these drugs and conditions with Ambien CR.
Warnings:The drug is not proven to be safe and effective for pregnant women. There have been no authentic clinical studies in the use of Ambien CR in pregnant women. Better avoid taking the drug to avoid risking the health of the fetus. Nursing mothers by all means should avoid taking the drug. Zolpidem can be excreted in the human milk. Although the effect of Zopidem on the infant is not yet known, it is better not to take the drug if you are breastfeeding. Studies show that this drug is not effective for pediatric use. Children who suffer from insomnia are not advised to take this drug.
As to the geriatric use of the drug, 6.5mg, instead of 12.5mg, is prescribed. This is because older people do not absorb and clear the drugs as rapidly as adults. Take precaution when you are taking other CNS depressants. Most importantly, do not abuse the use of this drug. Taking too much Ambien CR dosage leads to dependency and addiction, which eventually could lead to serious health and psychological problems.
Tenuate Overdose And Remedy:Taking too much dosage of the drug could cause overdose. It could be mild or severe. Sometimes, it could be fatal, especially when it is taken together with other "rowsy" medication.
Some of the common symptoms are confusion, shallow or low breathing, light-headedness, fainting, sleepiness, and worse, coma. Seek for medical advice and treatment as soon as you star noticing any of the symptoms.
Although this drug has been proven to be effective for insomnia, it is best if you first seek medical advice. Make sure that you follow the prescription and the label instruction carefully to prevent overdose and other serious health matters. Do not take the drug when you are going to drive a car, operate a heavy machine. Take the drug right before you sleep. Take the proper Ambien CR dosage. Do not abuse the drug for it is addictive, which may be dangerous to your health. Use the drug according to its purpose.