Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Ambien as follows:
- Take the Ambien dose for the duration prescribed without fail. Do not discontinue taking Ambien abruptly, without discussing with your physician and other health care personnel, as you failed to note the promised therapeutic benefit after the intake of medication. Discontinuing or significant reduction of Ambien dose intake abruptly, without your physician consult, can result in withdrawal symptoms, such as, rebound insomnia, exacerbation of anxiety, nervousness, irritability, muscle cramps, seizures, unusual thought processes, and behavior changes. Discontinuing the medication should be only as planned and recommended by your physician.
- Ambien carries a potential for addiction and abuse. Individuals with history of substance abuse have an increased chance for addiction with Ambien use. Ambien must be used with extreme caution or avoided in such individuals, to prevent any abuse and toxic side-effects with Ambien use. Notify your doctor regarding your history of substance abuse, so that, your plan of care could be revised and an alternative medication could be considered for management of insomnia. Never share Ambien with a friend or family. Keep a count on your pills, especially when you have family members with history of drug abuse around. Store the medication in a secured place, where others cannot get access to.
