Insomnia is a problem that many people suffer from and more people than ever before are getting sleep thanks to the prescription medication known as Ambien. It is preferred to many others 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.
The United States FDA approved Ambien in 2007 for the treatment of insomnia. Before it was approved in the United States, Ambien was already in use in other areas of the world. 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. Many patients like Ambien because it works quickly but it does not leave one groggy upon waking.
Restless leg syndrome is also often treated with Ambien. It 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 it is getting more and more support for this treatment.
Ambien is very effective in the treatment of insomnia, but like most medications, it may also come with some unwanted side effects. Common side effects include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, altered thought patterns, decreased libido, increased appetite, impaired judgment, hallucinations, and even amnesia. Doctors and patients should work closely together to determine if the positive effects on insomnia or restless leg syndrome outweigh the risks of side effects.