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Getting AMBIEN CR

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Getting a good night's sleep may start with getting AMBIEN CR.

If you're having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, AMBIEN CR may be right for you. The first step you need to take is to talk to your healthcare professional. And before you go to your appointment, you may want to take advantage of our 4-night free‡ trial offer. Simply print your trial certificate and then bring it to your healthcare professional to see if AMBIEN CR is right for you.

Did you know there is no generic form of AMBIEN CR?

If you've already talked to your healthcare professional and have received a prescription for AMBIEN CR, there are some important things you should know. AMBIEN CR is the only 2-layer sleep aid that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, and there is no generic substitute.

Your insurance company or your pharmacist may want you to try a generic form of AMBIEN first—and not AMBIEN CR. If this is the case and you're having trouble getting your AMBIEN CR prescription filled, it's important to know that there are still ways to obtain it.

Generic AMBIEN (zolpidem tartrate) CIV tablets vs. AMBIEN CR

FDA-approved AMBIEN ( zolpidem tartrate or generic AMBIEN) has one layer to help you fall asleep, and is approved for short-term use. AMBIEN CR has two layers. The first layer dissolves quickly to help you fall asleep fast, while the second dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep, so you can wake up ready for your day.* AMBIEN CR can also be taken for as long as your healthcare professional recommends.

If getting sleep is becoming a problem, getting the right prescription shouldn't be.

The following information should help you get AMBIEN CR, as prescribed by your healthcare professional:

  • You may need your healthcare professional to submit a "Prior Authorization" form to your insurance company. Once you receive prior authorization, contact your pharmacy to fill your prescription for AMBIEN CR.
  • You may be required to try generic AMBIEN first. Primarily, insurance companies want you to try a generic medication first, because it usually costs less. However, generic AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR work differently. Generally, you first need to fill your prescription for generic AMBIEN, and can then get AMBIEN CR by requesting it from your healthcare professional.
  • Some insurance companies will not cover AMBIEN CR at all, but Save on AMBIEN CR can help you with the cost. Save on AMBIEN CR can save you up to $100† on five refills of AMBIEN CR.

Read some popular Q&As that address the differences between AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR, and tips on how to make sure you get what was prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Next: Common Questions & Answers about Prescriptions Next
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* Individual results may vary.

† Maximum benefit is $20 off, on up to 5 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.
‡ See terms and conditions on offer material.

AMBIEN CR is indicated to help you fall asleep and/or stay asleep.

AMBIEN is indicated for short-term treatment to help you fall asleep.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR are treatment options you and your doctor can consider along with lifestyle changes. When taking either of them, don’t drive or operate machinery. Plan to devote 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active. Sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake, with memory loss for the event, as well as abnormal behaviors such as being more outgoing or aggressive than normal, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations may occur. Don’t take it with alcohol as it may increase these behaviors. In patients with depression, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide may occur. If you experience any of these behaviors contact your doctor immediately. Allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue or throat, may occur and in rare cases may be fatal. If you have an allergic reaction while using AMBIEN or AMBIEN CR, contact your doctor immediately. Side effects of AMBIEN CR may include next-day drowsiness, dizziness and headache. There is a low occurrence of side effects associated with the short-term use of AMBIEN. The most commonly observed side effects in controlled clinical trials were drowsiness, dizziness, and diarrhea. AMBIEN is taken for 7 to 10 days –or longer as advised by your provider. AMBIEN CR can be taken as long as your doctor recommends. AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR have some risk of dependency. They are non-narcotic.

Please refer to the AMBIEN CR full prescribing information and medication guide.
Please refer to the AMBIEN full prescribing information and medication guide.

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