Generic Ambien 5mg is a prescription drug that comes as an oral tablet and an oral spray.
The oral tablet comes in three forms: immediate-release, extended-release, and sublingual. The immediate-release form releases the drug into your body right away. The extended-release form releases the drug into your body slowly. The sublingual tablet dissolves under your tongue.
These forms are available as the following brand-name drugs:
- Ambien (immediate-release tablet)
- Ambien CR (extended-release tablet)
- Edluar (sublingual tablet)
All forms of zolpidem oral tablets are also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.
Why it’s used
Zolpidem oral tablets are used to treat insomnia. Insomnia causes trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
The immediate-release tablets and Edluar sublingual tablets are used if you have trouble falling asleep. The extended-release tablets are used if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
The low-dose (1.75-mg and 3.5-mg) sublingual tablets are used when you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep.
How it works
Zolpidem belongs to a class of drugs called hypnotics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Zolpidem increases the activity of GABA. GABA is a chemical in your body that causes sleepiness. Increasing its activity helps you fall asleep.
Generic Ambien 5mg dosage
Zolpidem comes in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. The usual dosage of zolpidem is 10 mg once daily. But sometimes your healthcare provider may prescribe a lower dosage, such as 5 mg once daily — especially if you are age 65 or older, female, at risk for falls, or have liver problems.
Similarly, the extended-release (ER) version of zolpidem comes in 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg tablets. The lower dose is recommended for the same groups of people as mentioned above.
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects associated with use of Zolpidem, include the following:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Allergy
- Hallucinations
- Muscle pain
- Sinus infection (sinusitis)
- Memory disorder
- Visual disturbance
- Sore throat
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations
- Rash
- Constipation
- Depression
WHAT ARE WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Warnings
- This medication contains zolpidem. Do not take Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, or Zolpimist if you are allergic to zolpidem or any ingredients contained in this drug
- Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately
Contraindications
- Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to zolpidem; observed reactions include anaphylaxis and angioedema
Short-Term Effects
- The risk of next-day psychomotor impairment, including impaired driving, is increased if taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining (7 to 8 hours); if a higher than the recommended dose is taken; if co-administered with other CNS depressants or alcohol; or if co-administered with other drugs that increase blood levels of zolpidem; patients should be warned against driving and other activities requiring complete mental alertness if drug taken in these circumstances.
- Vehicle drivers and machine operators should be warned that, there may be a possible risk of adverse reactions including drowsiness, prolonged reaction time, dizziness, sleepiness, blurred/double vision, reduced alertness and impaired driving the morning after therapy; to minimize risk, a full night of sleep (7-8 hours) recommended; this next-morning impairment is highest for the extended-release dosage form and is more prevalent in women because they eliminate more slowly than men.
- See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Zolpidem?”
