Ambien is one of the most oft prescribed medications on the market for the treatment of insomnia. Ambien is preferred to many other medications of this nature because it usually 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 out of bed easily after sleep induced by the medication.
A prescription medication, Ambien was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2007 and was approved for the short term use. 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 often very effective because it can help to induce sleep but doesn’t help the patient stay asleep. This is the biggest difference between Ambien and other medications for insomnia is that it doesn’t make you feel sleepy, rather it just helps you stay asleep so that you are able to wake up refreshed.
It is a medication that may also be prescribed off label for the treatment of restless leg syndrome. Ambien 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 that the risks are generally found to outweigh any risks or side effects.
As is the case with most medications on the market today, Ambien is associated with some side effects that patients should be aware of before taking it. The side effects usually are not troublesome enough to stop taking the medication and will usually subside on their own. Common side effects include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, altered thought patterns, decreased libido, increased appetite, impaired judgment, hallucinations, and even amnesia. It is important for patients to discuss side effects that are bothersome with their doctor.