AMBIEN
Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep).
Ambien is the most prescribed sleeping aid in the
United States. Sleeplessness is not OK and should not be taken
lightly. If you have insomnia, don't put off talking to your doctor about the
benefits of short-term sleep agents, such as AMBIEN (zolpidem tartrate).
While natural sleep is best, AMBIEN can help you:
Fall asleep. AMBIEN has been shown to help individuals fall asleep within 15 to
30 minutes. So it should be taken only when you are completely ready to go to
sleep.
Stay asleep. You know how frustrating it can be to wake up during the night without being able to fall back asleep. In clinical trials, insomnia patients report significantly fewer awakenings, compared with placebo, after taking AMBIEN.
Avoid waking up too early. AMBIEN provides a full night's sleep, and has been proven to increase total sleep time.
That's why AMBIEN should be taken only when you are prepared to devote a full 7 or 8 hours to sleep.
In addition, AMBIEN:
Generally doesn't disturb sleep stages. Studies in normal volunteers show that
AMBIEN generally doesn't disturb sleep architecture. Sleep architecture is the
term used to describe the alternating stages of REM (rapid eye movement) and
non-REM sleep. REM sleep is often referred to as "dreaming sleep." During normal
sleep, you cycle several times through all stages of non-REM and REM sleep. In
clinical trials, people who took AMBIEN spent nearly the same percentage of
their sleep time in each stage of sleep as those who took a sugar pill
(placebo).
Doesn't linger in your system. AMBIEN leaves your system quickly so you're more
likely to wake the next morning feeling rested and refreshed, not groggy. Take
AMBIEN only when you can devote a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep.
Is well-tolerated, which means there is a low incidence of side effects
associated with short-term use.
Know the Benefits of a Full Night's Sleep
Getting
enough sleep is important to both your physical and your emotional health. So if
you haven't been getting the sleep you need, make an appointment with your
doctor today. You might want to ask about the treatment options available to
you, including combining lifestyle changes with a safe and effective sleep
medication such as AMBIEN.
Important safety information: In general, sleep agents should be taken for no
more than 7 to 10 days, and re-evaluation is recommended if they are taken for
more than 2 to 3 weeks. The most commonly observed side effects in controlled
clinical trials were drowsiness (2%), dizziness (1%), and diarrhea (1%). While
taking AMBIEN, do not use alcohol.
AMBIEN is classified as a Schedule IV substance by government regulation. Please
ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about this. People who abuse
prescription sleep aids may become dependent. When you first start taking AMBIEN,
use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness until you
know how you will react to this medication. For more information, see important
product information.
This information cannot replace your doctor's advice. Only your doctor can
assess the benefits and risks to decide if AMBIEN is right for you.
Don't underestimate the importance of a FULL night's sleep.
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