Used to treat insomnia, Ambien is one of the most popular medications on the market today. Ambien is preferred to many other medications of this nature because it usually begins working within 15 minutes, and has a short half life of just two to three hours so the patient will be able to get out of bed easily after sleep induced by the medication.
United States Food and Drug Administration approved Ambien in 2007 and was approved for the short term use. The FDA specifically approved Ambien for the short term treatment of insomnia, which usually means that the medication can be safely used for two to six weeks. Ambien is often very effective because it can help to induce sleep but doesn’t help the patient stay asleep. This is the biggest difference between Ambien and other medications for insomnia is that it doesn’t make you feel sleepy, rather it just helps you stay asleep.
Restless leg syndrome has been treated off label with Ambien to the delight of many patients who suffer from this condition. The drug has not been approved by the FDA for these purposes, but many doctors and patients have found that it is both safe and effective in treating restless leg syndrome and that the risks are definitely outweighed by the benefits to the patient.
As is the case with all medications available today, Ambien may be associated with some side effects that patients should be aware of before taking it. The side effects usually are not troublesome enough to stop taking the medication and will usually subside on their own. Common side effects include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, altered thought patterns, decreased libido, increased appetite, impaired judgment, hallucinations, and even amnesia. Patients and doctors should discuss side effects as they occur. cheap Ambien