[kevin9494]

Has anyone who has been taking Ambien recently been switched to the generic version (Zolpidem) I just got my refill and it was for the generics which I have never taken. For some reason I doesn't seem to work for sleep (AT ALL) Now, I have never been critcal of generic medications, in fact, I really never thought it made a difference. Please post your experiences with the generic version. Thank You.

[AdheringtoLife]

I haven't taken the generic yet, I was waiting on feedback from others. I take the 12.5 though, wonder if it is even available in the CR?

[skullfission]

I myself haven't really noticed a difference in the Mylan ones. I've had 3 fills of the generic 10 mg now (two Mylan and another from a company I can't remember) and the only time I noticed a difference was with the non-Mylan ones. It did seem like a dramatic reduction in potency.

[Catasteams]

I have been using ambien for about 6 yrs, because of sleeping problems related to fibromyalgia. It has worked well for me and I did not have any weird side effects. 2 weeks ago, the pharmacy filled it with the generic zolpidem. I finally figured out that the recent trouble sleeping was due to the generic. It took me a long time to fall asleep and then I would wake up 4hrs later, tossing and turning the rest of the night. I finally figured out that it was the generic. My pharmacist gave me some real ambien and have slept again for the past two nights. TODAY, I got a letter from my insurance, stating that the generic is now going to be on their formulary and Ambien is going to cost me more. HELP, what can I do?? It is so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[James A. Lyons]

Originally Posted by kevin9494

Has anyone who has been taking Ambien recently been switched to the generic version (Zolpidem) I just got my refill and it was for the generics which I have never taken. For some reason I doesn't seem to work for sleep (AT ALL) Now, I have never been critcal of generic medications, in fact, I really never thought it made a difference. Please post your experiences with the generic version. Thank You.

I don't remember if I was taking the brand name or generic Ambien, but what I do rememeber was that after I took it it made me feel like I was on mushrooms everytime. Usually about an hour after I would take it, I would get this strong urge to call some of my friends or family late at night just to chat with them. I also felt very strange after taking this prescription sleep aid. This prescription sleep aid was by most the most bizzare of all medications I have taken......and really have to laugh about it's side effects.

[rwr104]

I took Zolpidem (5mg) in 2001. After 28 days I was experiencing many side effects such as sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, paranoia and strange behaviour (I would get out of lifts two floors above/below the floor I wanted so I could check who was folowing me). It also affected my vision - I developed 'blind spots' but didn't realise it, which led to my pulling out in front of a car. I discussed these symptoms with my doctor and the doseage was increased to 10mg for 28 days (to try to overcome the sleeplessness); by the end of this period I was in trouble with the police and ended up with a criminal conviction which, in hind sight, was due to my altered behaviour whilst taking the drug. I can be contacted on rwrZolpidem at googlemail dot com; this email address will be disabled if I receive too much spam.

[Asiablu]

I have taken both, Ambien and Zolipidem I dont notice a difference..... James I laughed when I read your post, I do the same thing! I want to get on the computer and chat and then I want to cook wierd foods! LOL Half the time I dont remember who I talked to or what I cooked

[theguest688]

I've also been on both, having recently switched to generic when it became available earlier this year. Not too much of a difference as far as I could tell. Funny thing was, also tried Ambien CR 12.5 early in the year and it was like the most useless thing to me...got me drowsy and warm and almost happy feeling but never put me to sleep unless I chewed it open first. Needless to say, told the doc and was put back on the cheaper (and I guess for me more effective) regular release form.

[EnoughPercs]

Originally Posted by Asiablu

I have taken both, Ambien and Zolipidem I dont notice a difference..... James I laughed when I read your post, I do the same thing! I want to get on the computer and chat and then I want to cook wierd foods! LOL Half the time I dont remember who I talked to or what I cooked

Same here; I just took one 50 minutes ago & it makes you think you're thinking clarity & straight when you're really on some tangent!
Laughing with you guys as well

Seriously, though, I tend to get sore throat pains from Adderal / smoking & Ambien always seems to take that away?!?!
weird!

[lisam6]

Originally Posted by kevin9494

Has anyone who has been taking Ambien recently been switched to the generic version (Zolpidem) I just got my refill and it was for the generics which I have never taken. For some reason I doesn't seem to work for sleep (AT ALL) Now, I have never been critcal of generic medications, in fact, I really never thought it made a difference. Please post your experiences with the generic version. Thank You.

I also have been switch to zolpidem, and do not fall asleep as fast, also
I don't stay asleep, I wake up in the early morning.
Ambien I would stay asleep the whole night.



Lisa

[nj31flw]

Hi:
I just started on the generic and have the same experience. Ambien put me out in 10 minutes, with the generic, I keep feeling like I'm going under but I just don't.

[Rational Prescriber]

Individual responses do vary, but I still believe generics are important as more costs are shifted to consumers.

[FuschiaTulip]

Hello all! First Timer Here:

I have always taken ambien (not CR) for a sleeping aid throughout the years off and on. It has been the best. Recently, when I tried the generic, I noticed such a huge difference. I do know that generics ARE allowed a plus or minus rule of 5%, but now I had to wait until my 3 month time span ran out before asking my Doctor to put the word "Brand Only" on the prescription. Yes, it is costing me $80.00 co-pay for a 3 month supply, however, many insurance companies will not (unless the doctor specifically notes on the prescription that he wants you to have 90 tabs for the full 3 months, you will be given 60 tabs for 3 month and still have to pay the same co-pay. Some drugs are now starting to be placed in categories where the prescription written for a 3 month period of time will be priced out as so, but the new "maximums" for 3 months (for sure of ambien unless special permission given by your doc) is 60 tabs.

Question: I take 40 mg of lexapro a day. Has anyone ever switched from lexapro to celexa? I never tried celexa, but my insurance compamy is trying to push this on my doctor. Anyone with experiences out there?

[norcoho]

In my own experiences, the generic form of Ambien does not work at all. I took Ambien for about 6 months in 2003 because I was having severe insomnia. It worked wonderfully. Then about 4 months ago, I asked my doctor for a small quantity Ambien because I was having occasional insomnia due to leg spasms and I knew that Ambien worked for me in the past. Well, the pharmacy gave me the generic and it did not work for me at all. In fact, it actually prevented me from falling asleep. This is just my personal experience with it.

[mom2my3boys]

I strated taking Ambien 10mg in 1994 after a serious accident and would have nightterrors of my accident. It worked wonders for me then age 17. Took it for about a year and turned 18 and went off parents insurence and couldn't afford it on my own. Pain Management doc started me on Ambien CR 12.5mg nightly 1 1/2 years ago. Bless his heart!!! It worked wonders and I was always in a super mood for the 2 hours after I took it till I went to bed, it would give me crazy energy (that's when I did my daily house cleaning, lol) and then I would be out like a light! Very vivid dreams though 3-4 nights a week. Many of nights were a blur though the next day, and thats if I could even remember that much. Did and said some stupid things I would find out. Definately made me chatty, lol! Luckily my friends knew what was going on and would always bear with me when I made my 2am phone calls and texts, lol! Then after 14 mos of taking it it just up and quit working. I still get it at my monthly visits but can only take it every 3-4 days to benefit from it. Sometimes even then I take 1 1/2 pills to get to sleep. Yes I do know they are controlled release and should never be crushed or cut, but when you go days on end with no sleep you do what you have to do. My family physician suggested taking a benedryl along w/ the Ambien to make it work better, but I haven't tried it yet.
Now for the generic difference. My Mom takes Ambien 10mg prn and the doc recently switched her to the Zolpidem and she notices a big difference. I have taken a few of them when our power was out and had to stay at her house and forgot my own. I felt absolutely horrible in the morning with a terrible hangover feeling. I don't know if it's because with the CR's they are continually being released through out the night and you come off of them more gradually and w/ the regulars it hits you all at once and it wears off all at once thus giving you the hangover effect/feeling??? With the CR's I will wake up bright and wearly feeling very refreshed but not with the regulars. Has anyone else experienced this?
My previous doc told me I had to come monthly for my refills (which wasn't an issue as I had to for my percocet and ms contin anyways, I would have an actual appt every 2-3 mos and just phone in for refills and drive to pick them up in between) but my new pain management doc ( insurence company change which in turn had to change hospitals ) Just wrote me a Rx for Ambian CR 12.5 with 6 refills. I thought they couldn't do refills without a new monthly Rx??? Not that I'm complaining, but I still have to go monthly for the other paper Rx's that can't be called in.