I took 3 Ambien and earlier today I took a total of 4 Lortab. I'm starting to worry. Note, I haven't popped all 3 at the same time, neither the 4 Lortab. Thanks in advance.
Is it safe to take 3 10mg Ambien??
Question posted by usernameanonymous on 17 Aug 2012
Last updated on 5 August 2021
Added 17 Aug 2012:
Further details... I am not an abuser. I take ambien to sleep at night because I have chronic anxiety and depression. The ambien hasn't worked in a while so I wanted to up it to 3 now. And I don't abuse lortab either, notice I said 4 not 14!!!!!
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25 Answers Page 2
Brit1686
20 May 2013
Hey,
Please don't take this as passing judgement because I'm not. Just wanted to tell you that loratab can be an upper, my mother who is a user takes multiple tabs so that it will hyp her up. Ambien will stop working after a very short time and at that point you will need to switch. I have taken ambien since I have narcolepsy and can sleep in the daytime but not at night. Odd I know but anyway it stopped working for awhile so I just stop taking it. After about a month I needed it again and could take a half of one and it worked for me. Again just letting you know the loratab could be working against all the other meds your trying to use for sleep
electriccc
27 March 2013
Each drug affects every body differently. For myself, for example, lortabs calm me down (and sometimes serve as a sleep aid by their use alone); but for my husband, on the other hand, lortab tends to hype him up. I'm sure I'm telling you something that you already know, and we should all attempt to follow our doctors' instructions as closely as possible, but each body is different - and with prolonged (not regular, necessarily) usage you should be able to gauge how each drug affects you and what quantity helps you to achieve the desired result. And of course you will want to discuss all issues such as these with your prescribing physician - although I understand that it's pretty difficult to get the answers you need at 11:30 at night :)
Inactive
20 Aug 2012
Dear Username anonymous, I hope that you are still here, and watching your question. First I want to apologize for the way the first responder has treated you. We are not like that. We are all here to help each other, not to judge, but to support. So back to your question.
I hope that you have spoken to your doctor by this time, and have a plan that helps you sleep. Obviously, you have a pain problem, and I wonder if that is keeping you from sleeping, or is it more than just pain? If it is pain, perhaps your medication is not covering you overnight, and that is why you do not sleep. I know that I wake up many, many times at night because of pain. In that regard, muscle relaxers, a benzo, and 10mg of melatonin help me sleep.
If your sleep problem is NOT a pain problem, then maybe you have to deal with this in a different way. Is it anxiety? Do you see a psychologist or psychiatrist? There are ways to dealing with anxiety, and pain, also, without medication, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, biofeedback, etc.
I truly wish you the best, and I hope that you won't be "turned off" and not ask any other questions because of your unfortunate responder. There are MANY people on this site in your shoes, and many WISE people who have great answers for you here. You are not alone.
Inactive
20 Aug 2012
No one is judging anyone!! the ppl who made those comments were just trying to make someone who is clearly developing a problem realize that this is happening before they get in too deep to get themselves out!! That is caring, NOT judging...
Inactive
21 Aug 2012
reread the comments.
Inactive
28 Aug 2012
I have no need to reread the comments... thank you
Inactive
29 Aug 2012
Take care E. Hope you are doing well and we are feeling Issac, lots of rain. Life in the south, always a challenge. :-0)
Inactive
29 Aug 2012
Doing great, need the rain, even with a roof leak, ha, ha. Thanks "P"!
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
HHHMMMM!!! it seems that every single comment that I have made to this question has suddenly disappeared!! hahaha!!! Could it be that I speak the truth and someone doesn't want to admit that they have a problem??? let's see if this comment suddenly disappears!! Wow!! and I though that I was stubborn when I was using!
Lorraineh19
12 Nov 2016
No reason to be an ass..just leave them alone
HeadStarter
19 Aug 2012
Hi username - I just wanted to add here because of my (and others) experiences with ambien that possibly taking more of them could lend itself to you doing things that you don't remember. Like me, for instance, and my friend down there with her "chips" or the aunt chopping onions during her nighttime amnesia thing. I would very much like to know after you see your psychiatrist next what is prescribed for you in its place, if it isn't Ativan, which I recommended for its sleep qualities without the hungover feelings in the morning. We all learn from each other so what you find out works for you could very well help another who is struggling with the same issue.
I thank you again for posing this question PLUS making it conversational so that we could interact like we are now. Posting as "direct" only allows for ONE response per poster. I do hope you find something that works much better but doesn't have the scarier side effects of ambien. Even congressmen have blamed ambien for their nighttime driving to offices at 2a.m. and other road crashes without remembering leaving the house. That is just scary. I hope you have much better results and much sounder sleep with the next med you are prescribed. I can't get over me leaving the house in the middle of the night and going to Dunkin Donuts for coffee and a muffin. I am more embarrassed at what the heck I was wearing when I left the house but even more lucky that I didn't crash and hurt me or someone else! But then again, I am not sure I drove either... I could have walked down there in the middle of the night in my "unawares" and back. Yikes!!! Then I am lucky I didn't get kidnapped, raped or worse... ordered a cuppa coffee black... when I only take it with 2 splenda and half and half! Oh the embarrassment of it all... Golly, those places have video, too... I have never, ever been back to that Dunkin Donuts because I was so embarrassed about what I looked like when I got there... I don't even know how I paid for it and don't want to think about all of those possibilities... I don't know if I had a pocket book or even a pocket for that matter...
Mary
usernameanonymous
27 Aug 2012
Wow, that's really crazy, now I'm wondering what I do in my sleep lol... but I was prescribed trazadone after the ambien but it doesn't work for me either. All I need is something to put me to sleep, once I'm actually sleeping I'm good but I can't fall asleep unless I take meds.
HeadStarter
27 Aug 2012
Hi again - that is why I suggested Ativan. 1mg Ativan is all I need and I don't feel all hungover in the morning. The generic is Lorazepam, which is cheaper. My body doesn't know the difference between this brand or the generic. Hope that gives you something to think about...
Mary
sleepless-n-ca
5 May 2015
I was recently told that 10 mg of Ambein are no longer legal. can any one tell me if this is true?
I had just filled a 10 mg last month and am now told by a Kaiser Dr. it is no longer legal.
HunterFisherman
5 Jan 2016
I take 2 10mg of Ambien at bedtime. I wear a patch that last 72 hours and take Loratab PRN for pain from a fall with broken back and amputation of right leg below the knee. My point to this is to tell you that the Loratab makes me hyper and cannot take one at least 6 hours before I try to go to sleep. Some people say it makes them sleepy. Hope this helps...
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
username anonymous, I wanted to welcome you to the site. I would have done so sooner, but have been dealing with a few issues myself over the weekend. Not all members are like your first encounter, & I hope you will take it with a grain of salt. We are & can be helpful & supportive in dealing with your problem. You got a couple of good answer from two well established members, Mary 'Headstarter' & 'Pledge'. Hopefully you will come back & let us know how your doctor visit goes, & what he reccomends to help you with your sleep problem. 3mg of xanax helps me, but it's not for everyone. This site is not for judgment of anyone, & we hope you do come back. Unfortunately, we are losing members because of the type of encounter you had, & that is a shame as we try to support & help anyone we can, not be the judge, jury, & jailer. It was quite obvious to me that you have medical issues, & were taking your meds.
Whether you use the word pop a pill, or put a pill in my mouth is of no consequence to most. It's just your manner of speech. I say the same thing! I surely don't believe I am a drug abuser of any sort. If popping a pill makes one an abuser, then we all better look at ourselves long & hard! I pop M & M's too, but actually I could be addicted to them if you want to look at it that way. Anyway, welcome to the site, & I hope you do come back. Your anwer could help others too that have the same problems. We need good people on this site...
Mlong71
12 Dec 2014
Ambien helps me , but watch I have had the amnesia episodes ( shopping online and no recollection of it. $300 worth to be exact). Take it early enough in the evening so that you don't get the hangover effect. And drink plenty of water in the morning to help flush it from ur system. I fall asleep quickly and stay asleep all night. Ativan also works, but it's not as strong. More calming effect than a knock you out effect. Still flush system by staying hydrated
DeeKeeney66
27 Feb 2018
Ambien had me acting like a Circus Monkey 2 nights ago. Thank God my husband was here and saw it!
guntrainer
4 June 2018
I have been taking 4 mg every night for 15 years. Works great. Now Dea tells my doc I can only have 1. 10 mg. Any ideas for different one that knocks me out. Tried trazodone gave me scary night mares
Thanks
Inactive
18 Aug 2012
Hello usernameanoymous. Welcome to the site. I recommend you drop the Ambien and ask your doctor to prescribe you a sleeping benzodiazepine such as Restoril or Dalmane. They are hypnotics and you will get a solid nights rest. Take care, regards, pledge
usernameanonymous
18 Aug 2012
Thank you very much!
Inactive
18 Aug 2012
You are welcome and have a great weekend.
usernameanonymous
19 Aug 2012
Thanks, you do the same (:
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
I answer questions without seldom adding my personal point of view. There is no point to it. Unless a person asks me out right for my opinion, then I offer/give it. The site has changed the past 4 or 5 months with people adding thier P's and Q's which has nothing to do with the question(s). If so and so wants to whatever the issue might be, is of no concern/business of mine. Playing judge and jury is not a part of this site.
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
This comment deserves 10 thumbs up. I couldn't agree more...
Inactive
29 Aug 2012
Thank you Mary.
JP9
26 Sep 2014
Neither of the drugs you mentioned are benzodiazapenes I do not believe. Telling someone to take a benzo is kinda like telling them to light themselves on fire and see if it hurts. Good luck with the withdrawal because I have found it nearly impossible to overcome. WORST DRUG EVER RUINED MY LIFE!!
MyBrooklynferret
25 March 2018
I have tried all of them nothing seems to work for me except the Ambien and the problem is is that it's not just one or two Ambien I can take which is the dose I have to take like 4 or 5 of them for them to even affect me I wake up I'm fine I'm not figure 8 I'm not out of it I'm perfectly normal and I get to sleep I need the problem is is that unfortunately I can't get a higher dose so I spend three weeks rolling around in bed not sleeping because I run out
Pgossfood
19 April 2018
I take 10mg Ambien at night. .50 mg caned 2 times a day and 10 mg Norco 2 times a day. I have colitis and suffer from anxiety. This morning I took an Ambien by accident instead of my Ambien. I have been freaking out all day. I did not take my Xanax until 4: ok this afternoon and I am going to take my Norco now. Do you think the Ambien from 7:00 this morning is out of my body
HeadStarter
18 Aug 2012
Hi username... It could well be that ambien isn't working for you any more as has already been suggested but taking 3 is really a lot. Especially, if you continue to do that nightly just to get sleep. Better to get new med. Have you ever tried Ativan??? It is one of the best sleep aids I have ever used and have been on it for a number of years without having to be tweaked like so many of them do. It comes in 1mg tabs and even they can be split. I like these because I, too, have a very busy, busy mind and I want to sleep when I go to bed instead of thinking about things I have no control over. I have a very active mind to say the least. But with the Ativan... I am calm before I go to bed and the affects of it have me waking in a really good mood and I get plenty of good sleep without tossing. Just a thought but do watch the ambien, okay? I had problems with that one and did some very strange things in the middle of the night because I had nighttime amnesia...
that is the clinical term for it. I was doing things after going to bed. The last time I used it, I awoke in the morning with a DunkinDonuts coffee cup and a muffin bag next to my bed. I have no recollection of leaving the house and neither did my husband. I was so sick about that because I don't know how I got to the DD shop??? Don't know what I was wearing??? Awful... can't take ambien at all. Believe me, you wouldn't even no you had been doing anything unless something like what happened to me, occurred for you.
Best of luck and more peaceful dreams to you.
Mary
usernameanonymous
18 Aug 2012
Hi. No I've never tried ativan. You're not the first person that tells me they did something crazy on the ambien. My aunt was cutting a onion in her sleep, good thing her boyfriend was there to take the knife from her and put her back to sleep. See I guess the reason I like it is because I always was one to wake up starving in the middle of the night and would aways eat. Since I'm on the ambien I don't think I do that anymore because I lost almost 20 lbs in 2 mon
ths. Weighing 270 lbs, that makes a huge difference to me and it seemd like a cure to me but now I'm not so sure. But thank you, I will talk to my Dr and give it a try if she agrees!!
HeadStarter
18 Aug 2012
Are you seeing a psychiatrist about this or a PCP??? A psychiatrist can fine tune meds a LOT BETTER than a primary care physician. I swear they should stick with what they know best and stay out of head medicines. They just don't know how these things work and aren't qualified to diagnose issues upstairs anyway. I have had a lot of anxiety plus recurrent major depression. My pcp flat out told me he doesn't understand depression and all the different meds for it. I am just glad his pride didn't get in his way and he told me the truth. I have a psychiatrist and I trust him for the "best" of my life...
Good luck and happy sheep to you...
Mary
usernameanonymous
19 Aug 2012
Yes, I see a psych. I did see a pcp a few years ago but he just put me on xanax 3 times and had me feeling like a zombie all day. I feel much better than I used to aside from the insomnia. Thanks
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
Mary, now you have me cracking up! I have never taken ambien, but to the questioner, we have had lots of strange stories on here about people doing strange things while on ambien. I don't need ambien to make me do strange things while asleep. I tend to hit the chip bag frequently, as seen in the morning with chip pieces everywhere around the house. At 5 years old the police found me walking across a bridge between Bangor & Brewer Maine at 3 AM sound asleep with my eyes open! Who knows where I was headed. Anyway, just wanted the person asking the question to know this can be apparently a side effect of ambien. I agree with Mary or Pledge to ask for something different...
HeadStarter
19 Aug 2012
Hello again username - And, that is my point exactly!!! PCPs put people on the latest, greatest sample med that came in their offices because a sales rep told them how great and wonderful theses drug were. I can appreciate the zombie feeling. A psychiatrist just doesn't normally start throwing meds at a person to see what sticks like pasta out of the pot. I am glad you are seeing a psychiatrist. But believe me when I tell you about the "ambien" and then other stories you have heard here. We tell it like we see it because lots of us have already experienced it...
I wish you nothing but the very best for the rest and best of your life.
Mary
AnDrEwStEwArT
4 Aug 2014
Say no to trazadone as well. It didn't help me fall asleep. Once I was asleep, I couldn't get up. It's like ur awake but u can't force ur body to move. I'm currently trying ambien and 5mg does nothing. 10 makes me tired and slow. 15 is zombie state. Just be upfront with ur psych doctor about the side effects and effects, and the promotions of specific drugs that may help get u to the right prescription
JP9
26 Sep 2014
Mary not to be a downer but good luck if you ever try to stop taking Ativan. Benzo's have the absolute worst, long going, hell of a withdrawal imaginable. They ruined my life. Still can't get off of them and it has made my anxiety 100x worse. Stop while you can or you will find out what it is like to live in hell. I pray you don't have the same troubles as I have. Good luck.
727Trish
1 June 2015
Hi Username-
I do not judge and I understand, as I have the also have been on Ambien (Zolpidem) for a long time. I started experiencing insomnia when my husband suffered a major heart attack at the age of 41. Then our daughters left for college and I became depressed. I was laid off from a job I loved in 2012. So things just kept happening (stress is cumulative). I began with 5 mg. then went to 10 mg and now need 10-30 mg to get to sleep and stay asleep. Anxiety and depression run in my family. I do take Klonapin (Clonozapem) (.05 mg.) as needed. I cannot take ativan- I have a reverse reaction to it, the same with Xanax and Lexipro. My question is- I have been thinking of getting hypnotized to help with my insomnia. Has anyone tried that? I went to a sleep center once and they said that it is all in my head- I associate my bed with being unable to sleep, so now I sleep on the couch and that does help some. Although, my husband would prefer we sleep in the same bed.
Anyone ever tried hypnosis ? No one should judge anyone as a pillpopper- it is just the madication not working as it once did. I am going to talk to my MD about hypnosis or switching to Lunesta. I do enjoy my wine or a martini too- so I won't stop that. I have never done any sleep walking while on Ambien.
kaismama
17 Aug 2012
The max dose of ambien is 10 mg. It looks like its time for a change in medication. Be careful with lortab, don't forget it has tylenol in it, and you don't want to get too much of that.
usernameanonymous
17 Aug 2012
Thank u, and I agree about the change. I tried trazadone, ambien, xanax, none of those work. Now once the ambien kicks in and I actually fall asleep, I sleep sooo good, don't wake up all hours of the night like I used to. But the thing is it takes a lot for me to actually fall asleep, my mind never stops!! But thanks again and for not throwing slangs at me also.
kaismama
18 Aug 2012
Having been without sleep too many times to count, I can understand where you're at. I take melatonin at night. I have trouble shutting off my mind, and it took me a long time to learn to compartmentalize my worries and not allow them in at night. Once you are able to think of happy things and shut out the others, you'll be surprised how much better you can sleep.
tktink
20 March 2013
The max dose of ambien is in fact NOT 10 mg. I am prescribed 20 mg a night and my aunt is prescribed the same dosage.
Mickeyo
2 Sep 2017
I'm an RN and when I was hospitalized, they told me 5mg is the usual dose
Rock2Live
10 March 2018
The cold hard truth is that a lot of people who take ambien or lunesta quickly find out that just one isn't very effective for an adult. It's common for people with insomnia to take 2 or three to come close to getting a good night's sleep. Fortunately, it's harder to overdose or die from taking ambien or lunesta than it is from something like oxycontin. What just said is statistically correct. I'm not encouraging anyone to up their sleeping pill dosage.
MyBrooklynferret
25 March 2018
We're talking about pills that you need every single night to go to sleep I got you where you said and I thank you for where you said there's Tylenol in it you can't take Tylenol on a daily basis because it affects your liver or do we want to die of liver issues I would say either but they really need to come up with a sleeping pill .
I have never done anything dangerous while I've been on it and I definitely will admit I take more than I should but they need to come up with something that's a lot safer to take for people who have insomnia I don't sleep very well at night and my mother will come down and yell at me why are you laying on the couch it's a constant uphill battle she doesn't get it if I don't sleep at night I have to sleep at some point and the second I feel I'm tired enough to close my eyes I do so if I have something to get up for I set my alarm and I'm up and I'm ready and I don't miss anything but they do need to diss I know I'm going to say this wrong stigmatize the fact that drugs and medicines are different I'll take a blood pressure pill that's not a drug but if I go take a Xanax at 9:10 at night when I want to get ready to go to bed which takes hours on hours I very rarely in my asleep before 3 a.m. no matter what time I take it so people who actually can't sleep and get put on Xanax they shouldn't feel they're on drugs all it does is calm you and alter your state of well-being and if you can get to sleep on it it gives you a little bit of resting time I'm tired of the stigma of it being called a drug
tiffanyb1020
24 June 2018
Nope the max dose of ambien is 12mg
Voodoo_Blu
3 July 2018
I take two 10mg Ambien all the time. For the last 15 years.
Here’s something about Ambien. It rarely works two days in a row for some reason. Try skipping two days after you take it, then it will work again. This has been the case for me.
~ V
balbanese
17 Aug 2012
anyone who abuses like this should worry. try the ER as you may stop breathing.
usernameanonymous
17 Aug 2012
Thanks for your concern but as you can see I'm not an abuser I have chronic anxiety.and depression but abuser, no
Notice I said 4 not 14!! Now have yourself.a good night..
balbanese
18 Aug 2012
I would apologize for my being so quick to "label" you. Whenever I see words like "popped" followed by what is most likely not instructions on a prescription label, I call it abuse. Maybe I came to use that term because you used it in your post.
Regardless, who am I to judge? I apologize only for "jumping" on you so sharply in such a short response. However, my concern for your breathing and my certainty that you do not have bottles that say "take 3 of these" and another that says "take 4 of those" justify my assumption.
If I (me) take 2 when my Doc says 1, I am an abuser. Takes one to know one.
So, I'm sorry, and I'm not. Either way, it would not have killed me to insert a little compassion in that short, sharp, accusatory response I first posted.
Best to you. Pop on.
usernameanonymous
18 Aug 2012
Well in case u didn't know, lortab is prescribed to take every 4 hours as needed for pain. So for the ones short of a math lesson, that means 6 pills a day. And as I stated, I have CHRONIC anxiety and depression so it is extremely hard to fall asleep, and I popped one ambien, didn't work, hours later I popped another one and so on. But I guess being a person that has no idea how it feels to go through what I do, It's easy for you to Judge some one only by the way they speak, or in other words judging a book by It's cover. But that's okay, if it makes you happy so be it. And I'll be on my way abusing and popping my pills now. Good day!!
balbanese
18 Aug 2012
Your taking chances with your life has nothing to do with my happiness. My math skills have nothing to do with the way you opt to bend the facts (to support your denial).
You confirm the label does NOT say 4 at a time, nor does it say keep taking them until you feel they're working, your opting to do that is abuse, why such a hard time accepting that? It doesn't make you a bad person.
I retract all my inappropriate labels that I admit it was wrong to apply to you, or anyone else. But as far as how you justify abusing your meds by overriding and not following your Dr's instructions? Sorry, even you must know you're in a corner there.
So, aside from the math and denial issues, I believe I am done here. Just label me a cruel judgmental hypocrite and realize you certainly showed me how much I don't know about behavior, see, since I've never abused a substance in my holy life, I really have no right to comment.
Please have mercy as my perfection makes it very hard for me to function in the world, and I ask your pity on my sorry (but perfect) soul.
usernameanonymous
18 Aug 2012
When did I say I took 4 all at one time again? Yeah that's true, I didn't say nor do that. Like I said before Mr or Ms Perfect, good day, good day!
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
wow!!! someone is in TOTAL DENIAL!!
Inactive
19 Aug 2012
math has nothing to do with it! it doesn't matter if you took 4 or 14! it doesn't matter that you only took 4 in a 24 hour period... the fact is that you DID NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOTTLE!! that is improper use of a prescription drug... that is the definition of DRUG ABUSE!
gingermae
5 Feb 2014
I totally agree that the mixture could cause respiratory failure. Drugs can be fun, but not not while playing with fire that hot.
Lynn Robles
19 Dec 2016
I cannot see anyone taking more than one 10mg. Ambien per night. If you take it and lay down one should be enough. Once I take one, if someone call's me I can't remember half of the conversation. My sister does the same thing. Also about the pain pills, I take 3 5mgs. A day. I did take 4 but my Dr put me down to 3. I'm happy he did that however not at first. I have a lot of pain. I have to lay down to get rid of it. I'm not putting you down but I can't get over the amount of Ambien you are on. There are other pills they can give you for severe anxiety. Talk to your Dr n good luck. Lynn
Kdzq35
22 Jan 2017
Anyone who is so clueless as the person advising to go to the ER should worry.
Is 3 Ambien advisable? No. (I have taken two before regularly before I could get the extended version.) talk to your doctor about 12.5 extended release ambien.
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