DCSIMG
Patient Questions Regarding Sleep Loss & Sleep Problems

Common Insomnia Patient Questions

Part of being prepared to discuss insomnia with your patients is anticipating what their concerns may be.

Here are some common questions you may encounter from your patients.

Sleep Problems
  • How do I know if I'm not getting enough sleep?
  • What defines having difficulty falling asleep?
  • What could be causing me to wake up frequently during the night and have trouble returning to sleep?
  • How can I tell the difference between a few nights of un-refreshing sleep and a more serious sleep problem?
  • What can I do to prevent sleepiness throughout the day?
Sleep Loss
  • What can I do about stress-related sleep loss?
  • Are there certain lifestyle factors that can cause sleep loss?
  • Can napping during the day cause sleep loss at night?
  • What medical conditions could be causing my sleep loss?
  • Could any of the medications I'm taking be causing my sleep loss?
Sleep Tips
  • How can I change my sleep environment to help?
  • What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my sleep?
  • Are there relaxation techniques that can help?
  • How could a sleep medication help?
Over-the-Counter Sleep Medications
  • How do these products work?
  • Are these any safer than prescription sleep medications?
  • Will I feel groggy when I wake afterwards?
  • What are the side effects?
Prescription Sleep Medications
  • What are the advantages of taking a prescription sleep medication over a non-prescription medication?
  • How safe is treatment with prescription sleep medications?
  • What is the potential for becoming dependent on the medication?
  • What are the side effects?
  • If I am prescribed a prescription sleep medication, does this mean I should take it every night?
  • Does the frequency I take a prescription sleep medication impact its effectiveness – or can I take it when I feel it’s necessary?

Next: Dosing & Safety Information

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* Maximum benefit is $240 off, up to $20 off each prescription (up to 12 prescriptions), depending on your out-of-pocket costs. Not valid for patients participating in Medicare, Medicaid, government (public insurance) programs, or any private payor in the state of Massachusetts and where prohibited by law.

AMBIEN CR is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

In elderly or debilitated patients, or patients with hepatic insufficiency, the recommended dose is 6.25 mg and patients should be closely monitored. Due to its rapid onset of action, patients should take AMBIEN CR right before going to bed and when ready for sleep. Patients should not take AMBIEN CR unless they are prepared to get a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) to avoid residual effects. Until they know how it will affect their physical or mental performance upon awakening, patients should not drive or operate hazardous machinery after taking AMBIEN CR or any other sleep medication. Complex behaviors such as somnambulism, including driving or eating while not fully awake, with amnesia for the event, as well as abnormal behaviors such as being more outgoing or aggressive than normal, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations may occur. AMBIEN CR should not be taken with alcohol as it may increase these abnormal behaviors. Discontinuation of AMBIEN CR should be strongly considered for patients reporting such complex behaviors. Angioedema may occur in patients taking AMBIEN CR and in rare cases may be fatal. Patients who develop angioedema should not be rechallenged. In primarily depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicidal thoughts or actions, including completed suicides, have been reported. The most commonly observed adverse effects in controlled clinical trials were headache, somnolence, and dizziness. Because individuals with a history of addiction or substance abuse are at increased risk of habituation and dependence, they should be under careful surveillance when receiving AMBIEN CR or any other hypnotic. AMBIEN CR is a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Please refer to the full prescribing information.