In This Review
Many people turn to the prescription drug Ambien for short term relief to their sleeping problems. Ambien is very common and is most often prescribed to treat insomnia. If you think that you are suffering from insomnia, there’s a good chance you may be advised to try Ambien or Ambien CR at one time or another. However, there are some definite and very real drawbacks to using Ambien, and it does not cure insomnia or make it go away. People can very easily become dependent on Ambien CR, and can end up dealing with things like rebound insomnia when they quit taking it.
Used For: Short-term treatment of insomnia, particularly sleep initiation difficulty.
Active Ingredients: Zolpidem Tartrate.
Form: Oral tablets (immediate-release and extended-release).
Type: Prescription sedative-hypnotic.
Short Benefits: Helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer durations.
Brand: Ambien, Ambien CR (Controlled Release).
Price: Varies; approximately $10–$15 per tablet (brand), $1–$3 per tablet (generic).
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
What Is Ambien and Ambien CR?
There is one main difference between Ambien and Ambien CR; regular Ambien strictly works to get you to sleep. Once that is achieved, the drug does nothing else. Ambien CR, on the other hand, gets you to sleep then releases additional medication to help keep you asleep for an appropriate amount of time. Most people are prescribed Ambien first; if it fails to achieve good results, they are then often given Ambien CR. Neither one of these drugs is advisable for long term use, though, and both pose potentially serious side effects.
How Ambien Works
Ambien is a sedative. Basically, it works to correct imbalances in key brain chemicals to help you fall asleep. Therefore, Ambien actually does affect brain chemistry. Ambien and Ambien CR have hypnotic effects on patients, lulling them off to sleep. These drugs have relatively short half lives, though, and generally last about three to four hours. However, you should never take Ambien without devoting yourself to a full night of sleep, and you should never operate heavy machinery or do other potentially dangerous things when taking Ambien CR since it works to sedate you and make you drowsy.
Differences between Lunesta and Ambien
One of the main differences between Lunesta and Ambien, as noted by those who have taken sleep aids, is that Lunesta does not seem to be as habit forming as Ambien. Many people find that when they stop taking Ambien CR, withdrawal and other symptoms occur. Lunesta, on the other hand, does not appear to cause such symptoms. People are likelier to wake up feeling sleepy when taking Lunesta, whereas Ambien users report waking up feeling less groggy. Ultimately, the differences between Lunesta and Ambien are minimal, though, as both can cause dependency issues in people that take them.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Ambien side effects – is Ambien safe?
Understandably, many people who consider taking Ambien or Ambien CR wonder about how safe it is, and whether there are any side effects. One of the biggest risks associated with taking Ambien is that it can be habit forming. Some people become dependent on Ambien CR and find that when it comes time to stop using it, they suffer from rebound insomnia. Other side effects associated with Ambien include forgetfulness, vivid dreams, nausea, headache, blurred vision and others. Before taking Ambien CR, check with your doctor to see if its side effects may be too much for you.
Buy Ambien
If you are thinking about buying Ambien, it is important to note that a prescription is necessary. You cannot order Ambien CR online or get it without first seeing your doctor. Depending on the kind of insurance you have, Ambien can also be prohibitively expensive. You may find that you simply cannot afford to take a drug like Ambien CR. Between the need for a prescription and its high cost, many people choose not to bother with Ambien at all. There are definitely less expensive, more reasonable options available.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Ambien alternative
Before taking Ambien, you should know that there are plenty of viable alternatives. Instead of taking Ambien CR, you could try out a natural sleep aid instead. Unlike Ambien, natural sleep aids are non habit forming and do not pose any serious side effects. More and more people are choosing natural sleep aids over Ambien than ever before, as they discover how beneficial they can be. Ingredients like melatonin and 5HTP – among others – combine to create a more reasonable option than what Ambien has to offer. You can learn more about the top natural sleep aids by referring to the product reviews.
