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#1
Jan 11, 2013, 12:17 AM
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I hope everyone is aware that the FDA just passed a law requiring drug companies to cut the dose of Ambien in half for women only! They say it still has an effect in the morning which could make driving dangerous! I knew it! I was totally not myself the next day and night after taking 1 pill. So it will go down from 10 mg. to 5 mg. I wonder if they can be cut in half. Of course the article said not to stop it without talking to your doctor first. I took 1 and do not think I will ever take another one.
I wish that pdocs would call their patients who are on Ambien and tell them what to do. Mine doesn't know I'm not taking it. I'd faint if the doctor's office was so "with it" and "caring" to do that. Maybe they have to because they don't want to be sued? |
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#2
Jan 11, 2013, 12:54 AM
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I just heard this today, and the reason is because some women ( a lot of them) metabolize ambien slower than expected, thereby making them think they are ok when they wake up, when really, they still should not be driving.
For some like me, we metabloize medications very quickly. I really hope that my 12.5mg ambien cr is not forced to be reduced to 6.25 because I know 6.25 is not enough. |
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#3
Jan 11, 2013, 01:05 AM
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People take a lot of stuff that affects driving. Why is this particular med targeted?
When I wasn't allergic to ambien I had no hangover effects, I do with my current sleeping pill and I take 1/4 of the max dosage! What about adaptation to the individual instead of gender? |
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#4
Jan 11, 2013, 11:14 AM
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I definitely think it should be for individuals, not for a specific gender. I too wonder if the CR version will be affected. I just started Ambien CR 12.5mg nightly...and I sleep really well, but with no hangover effect...and I doubt a lower dose would work nearly as well! |
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#5
Jan 11, 2013, 11:20 AM
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#6
Jan 11, 2013, 12:22 PM
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I was going to ask you if you were taking 10 mg. My usual scrip is for 5 mg but lately I have been taking half a pill and been just as happy (and sleepy, and dopey, etc!). Usually people complain because things don't sedate them enough.
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#7
Jan 11, 2013, 03:50 PM
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It may be too soon to cheer but I woke up feeling "almost myself" for the first time since being on the zoloft. Now I know the difference! The other has been a "drugged" feeling that I hate. It's almost 3 p.m. and I'm getting a little tired but I was shopping. I still feel pretty good! I sure hope this lasts but at least it's a reprieve for today! 
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#8
Jan 11, 2013, 11:17 PM
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#9
Jan 11, 2013, 11:22 PM
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ETA: From a news article I found: Doctors can still prescribe the higher dose if the lower one does not work. So we should be good...but I found something that contradicts that on NPR... he FDA is ordering companies to cut the dose for women from 10 milligrams to 5 milligrams for immediate-release products — which include Ambien, Edluar and Zolpimist — and from 12.5 milligrams to 6.25 milligrams for the extended-release product Ambien CR. |
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#10
Jan 11, 2013, 11:37 PM
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I've been taking Ambian for years and can't recall ever feeling groggy the next day. In fact that was what I liked about it...that it had no groggy hangover feeling. I may not want to jump right out of bed at 6 am but I do get going and I feel rested.
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#11
Jan 11, 2013, 11:49 PM
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#12
Jan 12, 2013, 12:13 AM
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I never had problems with the regular dose either. I suspect if the lower the dose per pill, pdocs will just prescribe two pills each night for those patients who don't get help with the halved dose.
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#13
Jan 12, 2013, 12:50 AM
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#14
Jan 12, 2013, 10:24 AM
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#15
Jan 12, 2013, 12:28 PM
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A doctor interviewed today on CNN said that this information isn't new. Clinicians have known for quite some time that females metabolize Ambien slower and they have been dosing accordingly. Evidently, it is just the FDA ruling that is new. I hope this relieves some concerns
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#16
Jan 12, 2013, 12:34 PM
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The FDA is saying to lower the dosage recommendation, not the dosage. It's recommended people/women start with 5 instead of 10 (what it has been). If what you take works for you, nothing changes but if a new person decides to try Ambien, it's recommended (not law) on any information/packaging your doctor gets that they start with 5.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/S.../ucm334738.htm
__________________
"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance." ~Confucius |
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#17
Jan 12, 2013, 12:52 PM
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Thanks for the info. Most news articles say that it's a requirement, not a recommendation. |
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#18
Jan 12, 2013, 02:06 PM
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The FDA can't pass a law...
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#19
Jan 12, 2013, 02:28 PM
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Also kInda goes wIthout sayIng, but maybe not, that you don't want to physically chop a CR or SR or XR type pill in half cuz they have a special coating on them. You're supposed to swallow them whole, not chew them or anything, and the special coating dissolves later to release more medication. Personally I never trust them cuz I feel I can't trust my internal processes that much!! So I try to stick with regular drugs!
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#20
Jan 12, 2013, 11:58 PM
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#21
Jan 13, 2013, 12:30 AM
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I have a friend who ended up driving people home on it and was totally unaware of it, they woke up thinking it was a dream and then found out they had given people rides home. So yeah I certainly would not want any of that driving while mostly asleep or going out at all seems like it could be pretty dangerous.
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