The Latest Ambien Side-Effects For 2010
For the chronic insomniac, prescription Ambien can provide needed sleep. Many individuals worry about taking sleeping pills to help them with their insomnia. They worry about side-effects or becoming dependent.
Although most individuals use Ambien without experiencing any side-effects, it is important to be aware of the potential risks involved. If you have concerns about any of the side-effects discussed in this article, discuss your concerns with your doctor before using Ambien.
Ambien is only intended for short term use. Long-term use increases your risk for dependency.
Some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to this medication. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include swelling of facial features or throat, rash, hives, and difficulty breathing. Although an allergic reaction is extremely rare, if you suffer any of these symptoms discontinue use of Ambien and contact your physician immediately.
Ambien causes sleepiness. Do not take Ambien if you are driving, operating machinery, or participating in any activity that requires you to be alert and fully-functional. Ambien should only be used right before bed.
Rarely, Ambien can trigger unusual sleep behaviors. Sleep eating and sleep driving have been reported. Some individuals have made phone calls or had conversations that they do not remember after the event. If you are worried about these very rare symptoms, consider having a loved one supervise you while you are on the medication.
Sometimes, the sleepiness that Ambien triggers can persist into the following day. Do not take Ambien before an important meeting or personal event before you know how the medication will affect you.
Ambien can also trigger psychological symptoms. Ambien can worsen or trigger episodes of depression and anxiety. If you or someone you know takes Ambien and begins having suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. Unusual levels of aggression have also been reported. For others, Ambien can cause them to feel free from normal inhibitions and can lead to dangerous, risk-taking behaviors. Ambien can trigger both hallucinations and vivid dreams. These vivid dreams are usually harmless. As with any side effect, however, you should report it to your doctor.
For those who suffer from persistent insomnia, Ambien can help them get a quality night of sleep. Before you take Ambien, however, you should discuss all potential side effects with your prescribing doctor. If your doctor decides that Ambien is suitable as a temporary solution for your sleep disorder, make sure that you watch for side effects.
Effects of Long Term Ambien Use
Ambien is the common name of the short term sleep aid zolpidem tartrate. It falls into the sedative/hypnotic category and there have been reports of addiction. When prescribing Ambien, physicians recommend using the drug for no more than 7-10 days. If further treatment is necessary, the patient should be reevaluated by their doctor. There are a number of possible negative side effects of long-term Ambien use, although everyone’s body will react differently.
The most common side effects in long term trials with Ambien were dizziness and drowsiness during the day. However, these trials strictly adhered to the recommended dosage, 10 mg. Long term use of Ambien is often associated with tolerance, meaning the patient will have to take higher dosages in order to achieve the same effects. If the patient is taking higher than recommended dosages, more serious side effects can occur.
Long term use of Ambien has been associated with sleep walking, driving, talking, and other behaviors that can be dangerous when the operator is impaired. Sleep driving is likely the most dangerous of these behaviors, both to the Ambien user and to others on the road. Sleep talking in Ambien users is frequently more coherent than typical sleep talking, making it more difficult to assess if the patient is impaired. Binge-eating while asleep has also occurred. Hallucinations and delusions have been reported, although they are rare.
Another potential long term side effect of Ambien is antereograde amnesia, the inability to remember events directly after taking a dose. The loss of these memories may be permanent, or they may return spontaneously over time. Patients have been known to take unintentionally take higher dosages of Ambien while under the effects of the drug. There is a potential for addiction, particularly when non-recommended doses are taken.
Long term use of Ambien may also result in withdrawal symptoms when the drug use is discontinued. These can include fatigue, nausea, sweating, and panic attacks. Fortunately these symptoms do not usually require treatment and will improve on their own. The patient may also see a resurgence of insomnia and other related sleep difficulties. It is best to taper off usage gradually in order to minimize these symptoms.
Ambien is not intended for long term use. Unless a physician says otherwise, the drug should not typically be taken for more than 10 days at a time. There are other sleep aids that were created for more continual use that are better suited to long term treatment.
The Facts: Ambien Addiction & Recovery
Many individuals use Ambien for sleep disorders safely and effectively. However, there is a risk for addition and some individuals find themselves dependent on this sleep aid. If you worry that you might become dependent on this medication, talk to your doctor about your concerns. He might only prescribe you the medication for a short time. Although the FDA recommends that traditional Ambien be taken for a short period of time, there is no such recommendation for the Ambien controlled release formula. Talk to your doctor about which option is right for you.
If you have had addiction problems in the past, you might be more likely to become dependent on Ambien. When you talk to your doctor about any medical issue, you want to share any addiction problems you have had. Your doctor will handle that information professionally and confidentially. Knowing your background of dependency can help your doctor prescribe appropriate treatments. If you are already addicted to Ambien, you should also consult a physician.
Recovery from Ambien, like any substance abuse recovery, can be difficult. Many drug treatment centers offer personalized programs for patients dependent on sleeping pills. Before you take such a drastic action, however, make sure you first ask your doctor for advice. Many doctors are able to successfully wean patients off of Ambien. If you still cannot sleep properly, there are other treatments to try.
If you have been using Ambien for recreational use, however, you might seriously consider treatment center options. Using any medication for a purpose other than for what it was intended is drug abuse. A treatment center can not only help you stop using Ambien but the staff there can also help you figure out why you turned to illicit substances in the first place. Drug addiction is a complex disease. Trying to conquer addiction on your own, no matter what the substance, can be impossible.
Whether you have been using Ambien for a sleep disorder or for recreational use, your first step is to talk to a physician. Your doctor is trained to handle questions about addiction. Your physician knows your medical history and can give you the best advice possible. If your doctor recommends that you enter an addiction treatment facility, do so. Follow the professional medical advice you receive and commit yourself to your drug addiction treatment. With time, help, and hope, recovery from Ambien addiction is possible.
