Sanofi Logo

Sleep well. Learn how to use AMBIEN CR safely.

AMBIEN CR can help you get to sleep fast and stay asleep so you wake up less frequently and fall back to sleep faster.* It can provide the sleep you want at night without leaving you sleepy in the morning. You can be confident in your decision to use AMBIEN CR for as long as your doctor prescribes.

AMBIEN CR is non-narcotic, and can be taken for as long a time period as your doctor recommends. However, like most sleep medicines it has some risk of dependency. Here are some important things to know about using AMBIEN CR:

  • AMBIEN CR is a prescription medicine and should be used ONLY as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions about how to take, when to take, and how long to take AMBIEN CR. AMBIEN CR tablets should not be divided, crushed, or chewed, and must be swallowed whole.
  • Never use AMBIEN CR or any other sleep aid medicine for longer than directed by your doctor.
  • If you notice any unusual and/or disturbing thoughts or behavior during treatment with AMBIEN CR or any other sleep aid medicine, contact your doctor.
  • Tell your doctor about any medicines you may be taking, including medicines you may buy without a prescription. You should also tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. DO NOT use alcohol while taking AMBIEN CR or any other sleep aid medicine.
  • Do not take AMBIEN CR unless you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. For example, AMBIEN CR should not be taken on an overnight airplane flight of less than 7 to 8 hours since " traveler's amnesia" may occur.
  • Do not increase the prescribed dose of AMBIEN CR or any other sleep aid medicine unless instructed by your doctor.
  • When you first start taking AMBIEN CR or any other sleep medicine, until you know whether the medicine will still have some carryover effect in you the next day, use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car, operating machinery, or piloting an aircraft.
  • Be aware that you may have more sleeping problems the first night after you stop taking AMBIEN CR as with other sleep aid medicines.
  • Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you become pregnant while taking AMBIEN CR or any other sleep aid medicine.
  • As with all prescription medicines, never share AMBIEN CR or any other sleep medicine with anyone else. Always store AMBIEN CR or any other sleep aid medicine in the original container it came in and store it out of reach of children.
  • AMBIEN CR works very quickly. You should only take AMBIEN CR right before going to bed and are ready to go to sleep.

When to Consult with Your Doctor

You may experience a few side effects while taking your sleep aid medicine. Some may go away once your body adjusts to the medicine. Check with your doctor if you experience any side effects. For more information on the proper way to take AMBIEN CR, see additional Prescribing Information.

*Proven effective for up to 7 hours in clinical studies.

Next: AMBIEN CR Side Effects Next
pagedivide

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.

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

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

AMBIEN CR is a treatment option you and your healthcare provider can consider along with lifestyle changes and can be taken for as long as your provider recommends. Until you know how AMBIEN CR will affect you, you shouldn't drive or operate machinery. Be sure you're able to devote 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again. Sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake, with amnesia for the event, have been reported. If you experience any of these behaviors contact your provider immediately. In rare cases, sleep medicines may cause allergic reactions such as swelling of your tongue or throat, shortness of breath or more severe results. If you have an allergic reaction while using AMBIEN CR, contact your doctor immediately. Side effects may include next-day drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. It's non-narcotic; however, like most sleep medicines, it has some risk of dependency. Don't take it with alcohol.

Please refer to the full prescribing information and medication guide.

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

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

When you first start taking AMBIEN, use caution in the morning when engaging in activities requiring complete alertness until you know how you will react to this medication. In most instances, memory problems can be avoided if you take AMBIEN only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. As with any sleep medication, do not use alcohol while you are taking AMBIEN.

Sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake, with amnesia for the event, have been reported. If you experience any of these behaviors contact your provider immediately. In rare cases, sleep medicines may cause allergic reactions such as swelling of your tongue or throat, shortness of breath or more severe results. If you have an allergic reaction while using AMBIEN, contact your doctor immediately.

Prescription sleep aids are often taken for 7 to 10 days – or longer as advised by your provider. Like most sleep medicines, it has some risk of dependency.

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 (2%), dizziness (1%), and diarrhea (1%).

Please refer to the full prescribing information and medication guide.