5 mg Generic Ambien 5mg is a prescription drug that comes as an oral tablet and an oral spray. The oral tablet comes in three forms: immediate-release, extended-release, and sublingual. The immediate-release form releases the drug into your body right away. The extended-release form releases the drug into your body slowly. The sublingual tablet dissolves under your tongue.
These forms are available as the following brand-name drugs:
- Ambien (immediate-release tablet)
- Ambien CR (extended-release tablet)
- Edluar (sublingual tablet)
All forms of zolpidem oral tablets are also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.
Why it’s used
Zolpidem oral tablets are used to treat insomnia. Insomnia causes trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
The immediate-release tablets and Edluar sublingual tablets are used if you have trouble falling asleep. The extended-release tablets are used if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
The low-dose (1.75-mg and 3.5-mg) sublingual tablets are used when you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep.
How it works
- Ambien is a brand (trade) name for zolpidem which may be used to help people sleep.
- Zolpidem causes sedative effects by enhancing the effects of GABA, a chemical transmitter in the brain. However, zolpidem’s chemical structure is different from benzodiazepines.
- Ambien belongs to the class of medicines known as sedative-hypnotics. It may also be called a Z-drug.
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention
Along with its needed effects, zolpidem (the active ingredient contained in Ambien) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zolpidem:
Less common
- Chest pain
- confusion about identity, place, and time
- discouragement
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling sad or empty
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- lightheadedness
- loss of interest or pleasure
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- tiredness
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Interactions
Medicines that interact with Ambien may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Ambien. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.
Common medications that may interact with Ambien include:
- anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and oxazepam
- anticonvulsants such as valproate
- antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline
- antifungal medications, such as itraconazole, or ketoconazole
- antihistamines that cause sedation, such as diphenhydramine
- barbiturates
- ciprofloxacin
- duloxetine
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as selegiline, isocarboxazid, or phenelzine
- opioid analgesics such as codeine, oxycodone and morphine
- muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine
- rifampin
- scopolamine
- sleeping pills, such as eszopiclone
- some medications used to treat mental illness, such as clozapine and thioridazine
- St. John’s Wort
Ambien warnings
Zolpidem oral tablet comes with several warnings.
1-Decreased awareness and reaction time warning
If you take zolpidem and don’t get a full night’s sleep, you may have decreased awareness and slower reaction times the next day. This may cause trouble driving. You shouldn’t drive or do other activities that require alertness if you take this drug and don’t get a full night’s sleep.
If you’re taking generic low-dose sublingual tablets, you shouldn’t drive or do activities that require alertness without getting at least 4 more hours of sleep after taking it.
2-Abnormal behaviors warning
This drug may cause changes in behavior, such as increased agitation. You may act differently. You may act more outgoing, hallucinate (see or hear things that aren’t real), or feel like you’re watching yourself from outside of your body. You also may sleep-drive or do other activities in your sleep that you can’t remember later.
Tell your doctor if any of this happens to you.
3-Withdrawal effects warning
Don’t stop taking this drug without talking with your doctor. If you’ve been taking this medication for a while and stop taking it suddenly, you may have withdrawal.
Symptoms can include muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, flushing (reddening and warming of your skin), and emotional changes. These can include feelings of nervousness, panic attacks, and uncontrollable crying.
4-Allergy warning
Zolpidem can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- trouble breathing
- swelling of your throat or tongue
If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Precautions
If you are prescribed zolpidem, there are a few precautions to be aware of:
- You should avoid driving or operating machinery after zolpidem, until it begins to wear off. This is generally about 8 hours after you’ve taken a tablet.
- If you are 65 or older, you should also use extra care when walking around the house after taking zolpidem, because of the risk of falling. It’s best to take a tablet right before you plan to get in bed.
- If you stop taking zolpidem abruptly, after taking it daily for longer periods of time, you can experience withdrawal effects, such as insomnia or vomiting. Always talk to a healthcare provider if you plan to stop taking zolpidem.
How long does it take for Generic Ambien 5mg to work?
The peak effect of zolpidem usually happens about 90 minutes after taking it, but you may start to notice its effects in as soon as 15 to 30 minutes. If you take zolpidem with food, the effects tend to happen more slowly.
Why is Generic Ambien 5mg a controlled substance?
Zolpidem is a controlled substance because there is a risk of your body becoming dependent on the medication for its effects. Zolpidem is a Schedule IV medication, which means that it carries less risk of dependency than Schedule I, II, and III medications but more risk than Schedule V medications.
