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Special Ambien Precautions
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Zolpidem is better known by its trade name of Ambien. While it is mainly a sleeping pill for those with insomnia, it can be given for things like RLS (restless leg syndrome) and for brain function improvement in those in a coma. On the streets, Ambien is given a high per pill value due to those on meth and ecstasy wanting to use it to “come down” off their stimulated high. It is this abuse that also has been pushing Ambien into the public eye along with its side effects.
Ambien Side Effects
Side effects from Ambien include:
- Hallucinations, delusions, altered thought
- Amnesia, euphoria, impulsiveness
- Headaches
- Increased appetite, increased libido
- Impaired judgement
Some of the most disturbing side effects are sleep walking, sleep talking, sleep driving, and sleep eating. There have been news cases where Ambien was given as a defense to actions, because of this altered state of awareness. People in this state can seem wide awake but be completely asleep.
Ambien Precautions
- Take care driving while under the effects of Ambien, as your skills will be impaired.
- Don’t take Ambien if you are allergic to Zolpidem.
- The elderly have an increased risk of falling under the effects of Ambien.
- Don’t take Ambien if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on a pregnancy.
- Your dose may need to be altered or a different medication given if you are taking certain medications, vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements. Tell your doctor all the medications that you are currently taking.
- Don’t have dental surgery or any surgery if you are taking Ambien without telling the surgeon of it. Zolpidem usage needs to be known before any surgery.
- If you have a drinking or drug use problem, you should let your doctor know despite any embarrassment.
- Tell your doctor before taking Zolpidem if you are depressed, have sleep apnea, liver problems, kidney disease, asthma, snore problems, or emphysema.
- Daytime drowsiness can occur, increasing falls and clumsiness injuries. Don’t drive or use machinery until you are tolerating the drug without these effects.
- Precautions need to be taken if you start the drug and start to have altered mental status or mood swings. Tell your doctor if any mood alterations are beginning in your therapy.
Ambien is fine for some people, if the proper precautions are taken and you are monitored to see how intense your side effects are. Side effects can lessen over time and tolerance to the drug.
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