Ambien Overview

Ambien, a prescription medication, is a sedative that helps treat short-term insomnia. It’s a medication that should only be taken seven to 10 days to help with the reoccurring sleep problem, however, if a longer term is needed, it could be a sign of another medical problem. It is not unusual to have trouble sleeping from time to time. However, if you feel that you do not get enough sleep or cannot obtain satisfying sleep, you could possibly have a sleep disorder called insomnia.

Ambien Treatment for Insomnia

People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Non-refreshing sleep

There are several types of insomnia. Insomnia types are often based on how long the insomnia lasts and how often it occurs.

Short-term (acute) insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. It is often caused by emotional or physical discomfort, and can be related to a single specific event. It is often caused by emotional or physical discomfort, and can be related to a single specific event. Causes of acute insomnia can include:

• Significant life stress (job loss or change, death of a loved one, moving, etc.)
• Environmental factors like noise, light, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold) that interfere with sleep
• Illness
• Things that throw off a normal sleep schedule (like jet lag or switching from a day to night shift)
  Transient insomnia is a type of insomnia that comes and goes, with periods of time when a person has no sleep problems.

Chronic (long-term) insomnia is when a person has insomnia at least three nights a week for one month or longer. It can be caused by many things and often occurs along with other health problems. Common chronic insomnia causes are:

• Depression
• Chronic stress
• Pain or discomfort at night

Each year, about 60 million Americans have insomnia.

How Does Ambien Help?

Ambien is part of a class of medications called sedative/hypnotics, which are known more commonly as sleep medicine. Otherwise known by its generic name, Zolpidem, it is closely related to a family of sedatives called benzodiazepines. These drugs cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure) and reduce anxiety. Zolpidem has selectivity in that it has little of the muscle relaxant and anti-seizure effects and more of the sedative effect. Therefore, it is used as a medication for sleep. Based on clinical studies, when compared to people who did not take Ambien, people who took Ambien:

• Fell asleep faster
• Slept longer
• Had higher-quality sleep
• Had fewer awakenings

Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later had no memory of the activity. Ambien can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. A user may still feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication. A user must be aware of how this medication will affect them, especially during waking hours.

Be careful of driving, operating machinery, piloting an airplane, or do anything that requires one to be awake and alert. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. It can increase some of the side effects of Ambien, including drowsiness. This medication may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.

Ambien vs. Ambien CR

Ambien, and its generic form, are approved to help you fall asleep. Ambien CR is considered a non-benzodiazepine and is different from older prescription sleep medications. Ambien CR is the only form of Ambien that is FDA-approved to help you fall asleep and stay asleep—so you can wake up less frequently and fall back to sleep faster. Only Ambien CR has two layers that address both problems. The first layer dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep fast, while the second dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep, so when you wake up you can concentrate on the day ahead. In fact, in clinical studies, Ambien CR was proven effective for up to seven hours. Ambien CR can be taken for as long as your healthcare professional recommends.

Ambien Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you know is struggling with an ambient addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5716. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on ambien addiction and treatment.