 |
Reply
| | From:  Sharona♥s (Original Message) | Sent: 10/31/2008 8:29 PM |
Does anyone use Ambien CR or Ambien? I know one is time released and stronger than regular Ambien. Are these drugs still controlled substance or will they not be a problem? Thanks much and if anyone takes it which is best regular or CR? Hugs, Sharon |
|
 First
Previous
2-8 of 8
Next
Last
|
|
Reply
| | | From: Jen, PT | Sent: 10/31/2008 11:16 PM |
I have not taken these medications, but I am referencing my nurse's drug guide now. Ambien and Ambien CR are schedule IV medications. Ambien CR, or controlled release tablets are a CNS depressant, prescribed for relief of insomnia. The 12.5 mg CR tablet has 10mg released immediately, and then another 2.5 later. Be cautious (i.e., avoid) when combining ambien with other CNS depressants, such as opioid analgesics, alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants or antihistamines. Prolonged use of greater than 7 to 10 days can cause physical and psychological depenendence. If used for 2 weeks or longer, abrupt withdrawal may result in fatigue, nausea, flushing, light-headedness, uncontrolled crying, vomiting, GI upset, panic attack, or nervousness. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet. Swallow whole. The standard ambien tablets are exactly the same as above, except in 10mg tablets. No warning re: swallowing whole or not. My medication of choice however, when I had difficulty sleeping was Trazodone. It is labeled as an anti-depressant, but also has unlabled uses for managing insomnia and chronic pain. The doses are different depending on its purpose. For insomnia, take 25-100mg at bedtime. For depression, its 150mg/day in 3 divided doses. The thing I like about trazodone better than medications like Lunesta or Ambien is that you can take the medication for your entire life and never build a tolerance to it. Ambien is really only intended for a week or two use at a time, and not for chronic insomnia. This is a good link listing and describing the different "schedules" of medications. So when you ask if its a controlled substance, I'm not 100% sure what you are asking. Schedule I meds are like heroin and ecstasy, LSD. They have a high abuse potential, and no medical uses. Schedule II start the high abuse potential medications that have a medical use, like fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, methadone, codeine, and cocaine. Schedule III are less abused, but still high risk, such as hydrocodone. Schedule IV, which includes Ambien, has a lower potential for abuse. You can have this kind of medication refilled five times within 6 months. So to answer your question, "yes" it is a controlled substance, but it is so low on the list that it won't affect anything. I guess I have too much free time! This is a little longer than I intended...I hope it helps ;) |
|
Reply
| | | From: Dan | Sent: 10/31/2008 11:56 PM |
Maybe you have more free time, hon. But that was an exellent explanation of how drugs are classified... er scheduled. One thing. Heroine actually does have analgesic properties. However, it's so highly addictive and has such serious side effects it's almost never used. It is, after all, almost the same thing as morphine, just not as refined, right? Or anyway, that's what I've always understood. Hugs and lots of love, Dan |
|
Reply
| | | From: Jen, PT | Sent: 11/1/2008 12:37 AM |
| Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy. It is the 3,6-diaceytl ester of morphine. Heroin does have analgesic properties and actually has the same addictive potential as morphine. In 1914, a law was passed which allowed heroin to be prescribed and used for medical purposes. But then heroin was banned from the united states in 1924. This article does make mention of the use of heroin in cases of terminal illness. You can possess heroin in the United States only if you have a DEA license. Very interesting :) |
|
Reply
| |
Sharon....I take the Ambien CR....and have been taking it for a while. It allows me to get a few hours of sleep...not at one time though. I do manage to get maybe 1-2 hrs. of sleep with it...and then perhaps later on, I also get another 1-2 hrs. More than I get without it. Dee |
|
Reply
| |
| i have taken regular ambien but found that i need the CR...it is much more effective in keeping me asleep, which is, ofcourse, it's job! i need it to help me sleep so i can avoid feeling the lumbar spine pain i live with. funny how my "late" internist didn't have ANY problem with the fact that i am , essentially, "addicted" to ambien CR .....very interesting. (by addicted i just mean i do take it every night...and would have to really work at it to not "need" it....) |
|
Reply
| | | From: AχPill | Sent: 11/12/2008 2:55 PM |
Sharon, I'm taking the regular Ambien not the controlled release. I am also taking Xanax. I suffer from panic attacks, I've been fighting with them fo 15 years, then was introduced to Xanax in 1999, a low dose 0.25 mg, I was never on any kind o psyhiatric medication until up to that point so now I am on Lamitcal, Vistaril, Ambien, and Xanax. Vistaril is a medication that hospitals give you after surgeries for relaxation i.e., shakiness. I hope you find that the Ambien CR woks better than the regular Ambien. Best of luck -Andrea |
|
|
First
Previous
2-8 of 8
Next
Last
|
|
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
As for the panic attacks tho knocks them right out. 
Well thanks again for all the help and guess we will be moving soon 2/09 is almost upon us.
Return to General