Posted by iris2 on September 25, 2004, at 20:16:29
In reply to Can I take Ambien and Xanax for sleep??, posted by tommytime on September 24, 2004, at 16:33:42
T-time,
> Hello:
>
> I am having trouble sleeping while beginning a regimen of Zoloft. I seem to have no problem falling asleep, however I wake 3 or 4 hours later. The reason I do not have trouble falling asleep is because I take .25 mg Xanax and this helps me relax. Do you think I can add a smidge of Ambien to help me sleep through until morning?
>
> Any answers are greatly appreciated!
>
> T-TimeThe Ambien is fast acting but I think it would do the job. However instead of taking two meds perhaps since a small amount of xanax works to help you get to sleep your best bet would be to take another benzodiazopine that is longer acting. I would suggest Klonopin. This way you would only have to take one med and not have to worry about any side effects from two. While Ambien is a non-benxodiazopine it is used for falling asleep, waking up too many times during the night or waking up too early in the morning. This would seem to meet your needs but its suggested use is 7 to 10 days. Unlike benso’s which can be use indefinitely. Tolerance build up varies from person to person but with such a long acting benzo like Klonopin I would not worry.
Another reason to use Klonopin is it tends to make people sleepy. Some people take it only for sleep. Given that the xanax already makes you sleepy this would be a good long-term choice for you I think.
Just my two cents.
Irene
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/bzd.html is a link that has a table of different benzo’s and their half-lives and comparative doses.
poster:iris2
thread:394620
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040921/msgs/395044.html