Posted by Elizabeth on September 24, 2001, at 12:55:52
In reply to Can I take more than 10mg of Ambien?, posted by dave_fox on September 22, 2001, at 17:30:04
> I am taking 10mg Ambien (zolpidem) at night but it seems to have only a little effect on promoting sleep.
I had the same problem. Now I take 20 mg and it works fine (if only it lasted longer). No problematic side effects. It's a very safe drug and I think it's worthwhile to try a higher dose if the usual 10 mg doesn't work well enough for you. You might try 15, then go to 20 if 15 doesn't work.
> I know that Ambien is a short-acting sleeping med and that, unlike the benzodiazepines, it does not promote muscle relaxation not does it relieve anxiety.
It's not supposed to, but personally, I find it to be a great anxiolytic. (I discovered this because 10 mg wasn't sedating for me.)
> Why has the upper limit of this med been set at 10mg? Are the side effects of higher doses dangerous? Or perhaps it is thought that no-one would need a higher dose?
The latter -- most people don't need more. But obviously there are a few of us who benefit from a higher dose. That 10 mg doesn't work well for you should not be taken to mean that Ambien won't work at *any* dose. I know a few people who need 15 or 20 mg and one who takes 30-40.
I think Searle is being overly cautious about the dose range. Tell your doctor that 10 mg isn't working, and ask if you could try taking a bit more.
BTW, I wouldn't expect a pharmacist (except, of course, for our own marvelous Cam :-) ) to have much "real world" knowledge. Retail pharmacists seldom have any true clinical experience. (I had a very irritating experience with a pharmacist who insisted on calling my doctor to confirm that my prescription -- which I'd filled previously at the same pharmacy without any hassle! -- was in fact for 20 mg/night.)
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:79318
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010917/msgs/79459.html