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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 2:58:15
Hi.
Ambien CR (controlled release) has recently been approved in the US. It should be available in pharmacies soon. This is good new IMO, one of the main problems with standard Ambien is its short duration of action - people wake up during the night and can't get back to sleep.
'AMBIEN CR is the first and only extended-release prescription sleep medication to help people with insomnia fall asleep fast and maintain sleep with no significant decrease in next day performance. AMBIEN CR, a bi-layered tablet, is delivered in two stages. The first layer dissolves quickly to induce sleep. The second layer is released more gradually into the body to help provide more continuous sleep.'
OK, so what about Lunesta? Well.... frankly, who wants a vile taste in their mouth? Lunesta hasn't lived up to its promise. Numerous babblers have returned to Ambien.
Although Lunesta has been 'pushed' as a long term treatment for insomnia, I'm not in the slightest convinced that Lunesta is any safer in the long term than Ambien. If anything, I'd be more comfortable taking Ambien. After all, Ambien is more selective than Lunesta for the BZ1 receptor. BZ1 selectivity is alleged to be responsible for Lunesta's supposed advantages over the benzodiazepines.
Any insomniacs out there interested in trying Ambien CR?
~Ed
PS. Ramelteon (Rozerem), a new sleep aid, should be available soon. Anyone know when? Calling jrbecker for more info ;-)
Posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 7:18:20
In reply to Can we discuss Ambien CR please?, posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 2:58:15
Here is the prescribing information for Ambien CR........
http://products.sanofi-aventis.us/ambien_cr/ambien_cr.pdf
~Ed
Posted by john berk on September 10, 2005, at 12:42:34
In reply to Can we discuss Ambien CR please?, posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 2:58:15
Hi ED!!
I totally agree, ambien is excellent, but when i wake at 4-5 a.m., it takes quite awhile to fall back for a few hours!! ambien CR release sounds like the "ticket", thanks for the link and the info. i've used ambien 10 mgs. for quite awhile, it still works well, i've never tried lunesta.
can't wait to try the ambien cr...john
Posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 14:16:32
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please? » ed_uk, posted by john berk on September 10, 2005, at 12:42:34
Hi John,
12.5mg Ambien CR might work well for you. I'm surprised there's been so little interest in Ambien CR on babble. What do you think?
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by gardenergirl on September 10, 2005, at 14:59:22
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please? » john berk, posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 14:16:32
Sounds like it will be a useful alternative for sleep problems.
I haven't had the early awakening that some folks experience when on Ambien. I don't take it regularly, maybe a couple times a week.
I kind of wish there was a sleeping pill I could take when it's about 2 in the morning and I can't get to sleep. It's too late for ambien then, since I usually have to get up around six or seven. I need something short acting and with a short half life.
Benadryl makes me restless and agitated. Chammomile tea is about the best I can do in these situations. Or just take ambien more regularly and get better at getting my work done in time to go to bed by say, eleven p.m.
gg
Posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 15:09:32
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please?, posted by gardenergirl on September 10, 2005, at 14:59:22
Hi GG,
>I kind of wish there was a sleeping pill I could take when it's about 2 in the morning and I can't get to sleep.
There is....... zaleplon (Sonata)
It has a very short duration of action.Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by gardenergirl on September 10, 2005, at 15:48:23
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please? » gardenergirl, posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 15:09:32
Cool, I'll check it out. Thanks!
gg
Posted by john berk on September 10, 2005, at 16:00:14
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please? » john berk, posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 14:16:32
Hi Ed.
the 12.5 pill sounds exactly right for me, ambien has been a life-saver for me, [literally]
i have had sleep issues for years, and when i don't sleep my ocd is 3x worse!! my mom would do well to try the 6.5, she is suffering from severe arthritis, and sleep is a critical issue with her!! a multi-layered tablet, it is really incredible how these meds are developed, i hope my pdoc doesn't have her usual reservations about anything new and beyond her limited researchng, lol,!! one more printout and her and i could be strangers, lol!! thanks again ed...john
Posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 16:04:26
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please? » ed_uk, posted by john berk on September 10, 2005, at 16:00:14
Hi J,
I hope your pdoc will let you try it. I think it might help.
Kind regards
~ed
Posted by yxibow on September 10, 2005, at 16:38:40
In reply to Can we discuss Ambien CR please?, posted by ed_uk on September 10, 2005, at 2:58:15
> PS. Ramelteon (Rozerem), a new sleep aid, should be available soon. Anyone know when? Calling jrbecker for more info ;-)
>
>Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agent, or a more specific "melatonin supplement". It carries some of the same caveats of a hormone. Melatonin is mostly successful for resetting the clock, for jetlag, or for medical students. At least according to my p.doc. But others may vary in their side effect profile to the long term use of a bodily hormone.
I'm curious in the new drug arena what Iloperidone will bring (novel atypical antipsychotic).
My opinion of Ambien CR would be the same as any of these extended release (with the exception of Wellbutrin ER which reduces seizure threshold) that they're patent extenders mostly. Ambien itself can and is being taken up to 20mg for long periods of time actually by patients, though the PDR doesnt recommend it and some GPs are skittish of that idea.
Posted by ed_uk on September 11, 2005, at 6:15:23
In reply to Re: Can we discuss Ambien CR please?, posted by yxibow on September 10, 2005, at 16:38:40
Hi yxibow,
>Ramelteon
It's already available in pharmacies. A babbler just rang his/her pharmacy and they'd already got it in stock.
>Ambien CR
Despite the fact that it's a patent extender, I do think it will be useful. Standard Ambien is (generally) very short acting - it (often) doesn't keep people asleep for long enough.
>Ambien itself can and is being taken up to 20mg for long periods of time actually by patients, though the PDR doesnt recommend it and some GPs are skittish of that idea.
Even at 20mg, Ambien is short-acting. Ambien CR should keep people asleep for longer ...and reduce the chance of waking up during the night.
Kind regards
~Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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