Re: going from 12.5 ambien cr to 6.25 ambien cr. difference?
I took 12.5 amb cr for about 2 years and just recently stopped. Dr is trying a drug to help with bp2 and said to stop amb cr. Only difference is I can not go to sleep as fast and I do not sleep as long. I havent really had any withdrawl like symptoms at all, just can go to sleep as fast and dont sleep as long.
I will be calling dr cuz not getting enough rest is hurting my neck and back.
Have you started the decrease yet? It may not be bad at all.
Re: going from 12.5 ambien cr to 6.25 ambien cr. difference?
I've been on the 12.5 CR for 4+ years so I'll try to answer some of your questions. The two meds should be made of the same ingredients, they're just different dosages. And since they're both CR, meaning they have the layer on the outside to help you fall asleep quickly and then the long acting meds on the inside, they should work the same. I'm not sure you'll get relief for the short term memory problem, since it's still Ambien, and Ambien in any dosage has that affect on some people. You shouldn't have any withdrawal symptoms, because you're not stopping the med, just lowering the dosage. Have you thought about using a different sleep med altogether?
Re: going from 12.5 ambien cr to 6.25 ambien cr. difference?
I agree with Lbled...I use the Ambien CR and then Sonata for when I wake up after about 3.5 hours, the Sonata gets me about another 1.5 hrs most nights. My DH and kids know that the rule is from 9:00 pm on Mom makes no decisions, or signs anything! But I don't have lasting short term memory problems from the Ambien, just the hour or so before I fall asleep some nights, not all the time. I think to get away from that you'll have to stop the Ambien completely.
Re: going from 12.5 ambien cr to 6.25 ambien cr. difference?
cool everyone! thank you!
i am going to taper off the 12.5 by mixing it in with the 6.25. then only be on 6.25.
maybe it will help with some memory loss? i just can't go through taking a different drug right now. anxiety! it just stresses me out. that is why i can at least try the 6.25. no surprises (i hope!)
i don't know, i thought i had read somewhere that the 6.25 had different ingredients than the 12.5. who knows.
Re: going from 12.5 ambien cr to 6.25 ambien cr. difference?
when you say that you're going to taper off the 12.5 by mixing it with the 6.5, do you realize that you'll actually be upping your dosage, and then dropping it significantly when you go to only 6.5's? This may not be the best plan...If you just go to the 6.5 that would be a natural taper down from the 12.5's. Just my opinion.
