Ambien dosage should be determined on an individual basis. A physician will help the individual determine the lowest dose that will have an effect on them. This is the dose that they should take. Ambien is available in 5 mg and 10 mg pills. In general, the recommended dose for adults is 10 mg of Ambien per day. The max dose that should be taken in a day is 10 mg.
Ambien CR dosing is a little different, due to its extended release formula. It is available in 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg tablets. The recommended dose for adults is 12.5 mg taken right before bedtime. The max dose per day is 12.5 mg.
Both Ambien and Ambien CR should be taken right before bed, as it is fast-acting and the person will start to feel the effects shortly after taking it. The sleep-inducing effects will last for seven to eight hours, so the person should make sure that they can get a full night of sleep after taking it. It should also be taken on an empty stomach, as taking it with a meal or shortly after eating will take longer for it to work.
Ambien is meant to be a short-term treatment for a person who is experiencing insomnia. It should only be used for a few weeks at a time. The longer a person takes Ambien, the higher their risk of addiction.
Ways Ambien is Taken
Ambien comes in pill or tablet form and is meant to be taken by mouth. The best way to take Ambien is as prescribed. Taking Ambien other ways, such as snorting or injecting can be dangerous. People may take Ambien in these ways if they are trying to get high from it.
- Ingestion: Ambien pills or tablets should be taken by mouth and swallowed. Ingesting Ambien allows it to be broken down and absorbed in proportion to the amount prescribed. An Ambien spray also exists, that is meant to be sprayed into the mouth and ingested in a similar manner to the pill.
- Snorting: Snorting ambien is usually done by crushing the pill or tablet into a powder and snorting it through a rolled up paper or straw directly into the nose. This method decreases the time it takes to feel the effects of Ambien. This is not a recommended route of administration, as Ambien is not meant to be snorted. Snorting Ambien can be very dangerous and can lead to an Ambien use disorder.
- Injection: Similar to snorting, some people may choose to inject Ambien to feel its effects faster. Shooting ambien is usually done by crushing the pill and dissolving it in water prior to injecting it directly into a vein. This is extremely dangerous and Ambien should not be taken this way. Injecting Ambien may lead to dependence and addiction.