Ambien is a go to drug for many doctors when prescribing medications to treat insomnia. Doctors and patients alike often like Ambien because it begins working within 15 minutes, and has a short half life of just two to three hours so the patient will be able to get up in the morning without feeling the lingering affects of the medication.
The United States Food and Drug Administration approved Ambien for the treatment of insomnia in 2007 and since this time it has been prescribed regularly. Before this time, Ambien was prescribed successfully in other countries when it had already been approved. The FDA specifically approved Ambien for the short term treatment of insomnia, which usually means that the medication can be safely used for two to six weeks. Ambien is different that most other medications used for insomnia because it doesn’t actually induce sleep, instead it helps the patient to maintain sleep.
Interestingly, after a relatively short period of time on the market Ambien has become known for its ability to treat restless leg syndrome. The drug has not been approved by the FDA for these purposes, but many doctors and patients have found that it is both safe and effective in treating restless leg syndrome and it is gaining a reputation for being very effective in treating this condition.
Side effects may accompany Ambien, as is the case with all medications on the market today. Common side effects include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, altered thought patterns, decreased libido, increased appetite, impaired judgment, hallucinations, and even amnesia. Every patient will respond to the medication differently, so patients who develop side effects should speak with their doctor to determine if Ambien continues to be the best course of treatment. Ambien no prescription