Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Ambien as follows:
- While you are taking Ambien, plan to stay in bed for a full night sleep of 8 hours. Avoid having Ambien dose, if you are planning to have a short sleep time, for 3 – 4 hour duration for the night. Taking Ambien for a short duration sleep can result in problems with memory, reduced alertness and continued drowsiness after waking up, and compromised safety, especially with activities that mandate alertness, such as, driving.
- Ambien use can result in episodes of confusion, dizziness, unusual dreams, daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, and light-headedness. Individuals taking Ambien can also present compromised memory, reduced alertness, and forgetfulness. Notify your physician regarding any such deteriorating memory, worsening confusion and alertness during daytime, and episodes of compromised safety, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised or the medication discontinued.
- Patients with history of mood disorders, such as, anxiety and bipolar disorder, secondary to Ambien intake, can experience deterioration and worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, changes in behavior, irritability, compromised sexual drive, and unusual thought processes, including suicidal tendencies. Notify your physician regarding any such worsening mood changes, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised or the medication discontinued.
