Ambien is a prescription drug that is used to treat insomnia. It is a sedative-hypnotic drug that belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. The drug works by increasing the activity of GABA receptors in the brain, which helps calm down people as they go to sleep.
In addition to its sleepiness-inducing properties, Ambien can also cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, nausea, and vomiting in some patients. The company that makes Ambien advises patients not to operate heavy machinery or drive while taking Ambien until they know how it will affect them personally.
Ambien is not without its risks: people who abuse Ambien may suffer from hallucinations or confusion while they’re using it. They may also become addicted if they take more than the recommended dosage or if they take Ambien more often than directed by their doctor. Ambien addiction can lead to other problems like depression or anxiety disorders as well as physical dependence on the drug itself.
Pros of Ambien
There are many benefits to using Ambien, a prescription sleep aid.
Ambien is known to be effective in treating insomnia and may help you fall asleep faster. It can also help you stay asleep longer, and it may reduce the amount of time it takes for you to fall back asleep if you wake up during the night. This makes it an ideal choice for those who have trouble sleeping, as it can improve their quality of life by helping them get more restful sleep.
Here are some of the pros of Ambien:
- It’s easy to take and doesn’t have many side effects. You can take it any time of day, including with food or on an empty stomach—and it works in just 30 minutes.
- It doesn’t cause hangover effects like other sleep aids do (like grogginess after waking up).
- It may help you get back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep.
- Ambien is very effective at producing sleep.
- Reduces the time it takes to fall asleep by about 20 minutes on average.
Cons of Ambien
Ambien is a great sleep aid when you need it, but it’s not without its cons. Here are some things to consider before taking Ambien:
- You can’t drive or operate heavy machinery while taking Ambien.
- You can’t drink alcohol while taking Ambien, as it makes the effects of alcohol much stronger and last longer.
- It’s not recommended for people with breathing problems or sleep apnea to take Ambien because it may worsen these conditions and put you at risk for serious health problems such as high blood pressure and heart failure.
- If you take Ambien for more than two weeks, there is a chance that you will develop tolerance to the drug—meaning that it won’t work as well after a while—and withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it (such as trouble sleeping).
- Although rare, it’s possible to become dependent on the drug if used for long periods of time or in high doses. This is why it’s important to talk with your doctor about how long you should take Ambien before deciding whether or not to continue using it.