generic Ambien 5mg is a medication commonly used to treat insomnia. It is also called Zolpidem. It can help you get to sleep and stay asleep during the night. There are serious side effects associated with taking zolpidem, such as falls, altered behavior, and excessive drowsiness. It can often be safer to use a lower dose of zolpidem.
Zolpidem can cause many concerning side effects, such as changes in behavior, abnormal thinking, sedation, and even driving while asleep. This medication also causes a higher risk of falls and fractures in people who are 65 years of age and older.
Because of these risks, you should always talk with your healthcare provider before taking zolpidem. This article will explain what you need to know about zolpidem and what to expect when taking it. Ambien may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Do not share Ambien with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have. The recommended doses of zolpidem are not the same in men and women, and this drug is not approved for use in children. Misuse of this medication can result in dangerous side effects.
Ambien may impair your thinking or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking this medicine, especially if you take the extended-release tablet, or if you are a woman. Wait at least 4 hours or until you are fully awake before you do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Some people using Ambien have engaged in activities such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later have no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking this medicine and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
You should not use Ambien if you are allergic to zolpidem. The tablets may contain lactose. Use caution if you are sensitive to lactose.
What are the possible side effects of Ambien?
Ambien may cause serious side effects including:
anxiety,
depression,
aggression,
agitation,
confusion,
hallucinations,
memory problems,
unusual thoughts or behavior,
thoughts of hurting yourself, and
lightheadedness

Dosage In Adults:

Use the lowest effective dose for the patient. The recommended initial dose is 5 mg for women and either 5 or 10 mg for men, taken only once per night immediately before bedtime with at least 7-8 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening. If the 5 mg dose is not effective, the dose can be increased to 10 mg. In some patients, the higher morning blood levels following the use of the 10 mg dose increase the risk of next-day impairment of driving and other activities that require full alertness [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. The total dose of AMBIEN should not exceed 10 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. AMBIEN should be taken as a single dose and should not be readministered during the same night.
The recommended initial doses for women and men are different because zolpidem clearance is lower in women.
Special Populations
Elderly or debilitated patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of zolpidem tartrate. The recommended dose of AMBIEN in these patients is 5 mg once daily immediately before bedtime [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
Patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment do not clear the drug as rapidly as normal subjects. The recommended dose of AMBIEN in these patients is 5 mg once daily immediately before bedtime. Avoid AMBIEN use in patients with severe hepatic impairment as it may contribute to encephalopathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Never use zolpidem in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity while not fully awake and later had no memory of it. If this happens to you, stop taking zolpidem and call your doctor right away.
Serious injury or death could occur if you walk or drive while you are not fully awake.
Do not take zolpidem if you have consumed alcohol during the day or just before bed.
WHAT SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING ZOLPIDEM?
You should not use zolpidem if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever taken sleep medicine and engaged in an activity you later don’t remember. Zolpidem tablets may contain lactose. Use caution if you are sensitive to lactose.
Zolpidem is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver or kidney disease;
a breathing disorder;
depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts;
drug or alcohol addiction;
sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep); or
myasthenia gravis.
Taking zolpidem in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause drowsiness or breathing problems in your newborn.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.
The sedative effects of zolpidem may be stronger in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take sedatives. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking this medicine.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE ZOLPIDEM?

The recommended doses of zolpidem are not the same in men and women, and this drug is not approved for use in children.
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use zolpidem in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.
Zolpidem may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Zolpidem will make you fall asleep. Never take Ambien, Edluar, or Zolpimist if you do not have a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again.
Do not take Intermezzo for middle-of-the-night insomnia unless you have 4 hours of sleep time left before being active.
Zolpidem is for short-term use only. Do not take zolpidem for longer than 5 weeks without your doctor’s advice.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 days of treatment, or if they get worse.
Do not stop using zolpidem suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Keep the Zolpimist bottle upright when not in use.
Insomnia symptoms may also return after you stop taking zolpidem, and maybe even worse than before. Tell your doctor if you still have worsened insomnia after the first few nights without taking zolpidem.

WHAT OTHER DRUGS INTERACT WITH ZOLPIDEM?

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
Severe Interactions of Zolpidem Include:
sodium oxybate
Serious Interactions of zolpidem include:
fentanyl
intranasal fentanyl
iontophoretic transdermal system fentanyl
transdermal fentanyl
fentanyl transmucosal
idelalisib
ivacaftor
nefazodone
valerian
Zolpidem has moderate interactions with at least 30 different drugs.
Zolpidem has mild interactions with at least 98 different drugs.
This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or more information about this medicine.

Why select generic Ambien?

Cost is one of the main reasons for using Ambien generic. Brand name medications, such as Ambien, are typically more expensive. According to drugs.com, the price for Ambien is approximately $20 per tablet (based on that website’s discount card and without insurance or payment methods other than cash.)
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This same website lists the price for generic Ambien 10mg or zolpidem at approximately $13 for 6 tablets, or a bit more than $2 per tablet. Again, this price is based on using the discount card and without taking into consideration insurance or non-cash payments.
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In other words, you are likely to pay more for Ambien than for generic Ambien. The generic version is both less costly and has the same clinical indications and side effects as branded Ambien.

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‍What to know before taking an Ambien generic?

Generic Ambien is recommended as a short-term treatment for insomnia after sleep hygiene or cognitive behavioral therapy approaches have not worked.

If you have tried these other methods and are considering medication, here is further information for you to know before taking zolpidem. These include medical guidelines for taking an Ambien generic, its proper dosage, and side effects.

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