Product Description

Ambien (Zolpidem) is a hypnotic prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Studies have confirmed its ability to decrease sleep latency while increasing the duration of sleep for up to 35 days.

How to use

Ambien tablets are intended to be swallowed whole and are available in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths for oral administration. The medication works quickly ' usually within 15 minutes ' and has a short half-life of 2-3 hours.

When abused, Ambien tablets are taken orally, crushed and then snorted, or dissolved in water and "cooked" for intravenous injection.

Never increase the amount or frequency of this drug without your doctor's approval, and never take this drug for any reason other than the one prescribed.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Ambien works with a natural brain chemical called GABA, one of at least 18 major brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. The theory is that once GABA is released from a brain cell, it dampens the electrical activity of neighboring brain cells. Ambien and GABA then work together to reduce the possibility of certain brain cells becoming electrically active. Ambien is not chemically related to many older sleep drugs that work with GABA. Laboratory studies have shown that unlike these older sleep drugs, Ambien targets a specific area of the brain cell. (br>
Specific effects associated with Ambien use include but are not limited to: daytime drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty with coordination, tolerance, dependence, and changes in thinking and/or behavior.

Side Effects

Typical side effects of Ambien therapy include drowsiness, upset stomach, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dry mouth, and muscle aches.

If you experience any of the following symptoms they should be brought to the immediate attention of your physician.

* skin rash
* itching
* fast or irregular heartbeat
* chest pain
* difficulty breathing
* fever
* behavior changes
* mental confusion
* abnormal thinking or dreams
* depression

Special Note:

*Ambien may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or perform any other potentially hazardous activities until you know how this drug affects you.
*Ambien slows the nervous system. Alcohol can intensify this effect.
*Some people have reported memory loss (amnesia), worsening of psychiatric disorders, or other problems from using Ambien.
*Some people using Ambien experience unusual changes in their thinking and/or behavior.

Overdosage

People who take too much Ambien may become excessively drowsy or even slip into a light coma. The symptoms of overdose are more severe if the person is also taking other central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs and can prove fatal. If you suspect an Ambien overdosage, seek immediate medical attention.

Use extreme caution when using Ambien if you have the following risk factors:

* Alcohol abuse or Drug abuse(or history of) 'Zolpidem dependence may develop
* Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease
* Mental depression
* Sleep apnea'Zolpidem may aggravate this condition
* Kidney or Liver disease ' May result in higher blood levels of zolpidem, increasing the chance of side effects (br>
Ambien has no known drug contraindications.