Disappointed with Generic Sleeping Pill

I'm surprised you didn't recommend melatonin for this person. It's a herbal capsule that enhances relaxation and sleep. My wife and I have used it for years, always with positive results and no after effects. It's also very effective to combat jet lag.

I have the same problem with generic Ambien, And guess what ? When my Doctor prescribed the generic, I took it to Wal-Mart to see if I could get the $4 prescription & it wasn't listed. I just had to pay the copay.

When I asked about the Ambien cost, The generic actually cost me about 20 cents more per tablet than the name brand Ambien. I asked my insurance company about this & was told that the copay is not based on per tablet prices. So the next time I will ask for something that doesn't have a generic version, If possible.

How can I learn where the generics are manufactured -- India, China, or where?

I use a calcium/magnesium/zinc pill when I'm having a problem sleeping. I sleep all night long after taking one.

I had tried all the conventional sleep aids, both prescribed and over the counter, including the solutions mentioned above. Melatonin was the only one that worked and that eventually lost its ability to affect my insomnia. I eventually tried Fatigued to Fantastic Revitalizing Sleep Formula, which has continued to be helpful for 3 years now. It has ingredients which are not normally mentioned in alternative sleep aid articles - such as Jamaica Dogwood.

I too have had bad experiences with generic Ambien. I have a tendency towards depression and whenever I take the generic Ambien, I find the next day I am more emotional and sometimes have suicidal thoughts.This is not the same as regular Ambien and doesn't even look the same. I never had these problems with regular Ambien.

Diphenhydramine works very well for me as a sleep aid. It does not require a prescription.

I was also switched to generic Ambien but have not noticed any real difference. A difference I did notice once was between Ambien and Ambien CR, the CR seemed more effective. My doctor said there is no real difference but I swear it worked better.

I've had the same problem with the generic of Ambien. Also what irritates me is that with my copay, I pay about 20 cents more per tablet for the generic than the actual Ambien. Insurance tried to explain, But got nowhere with them.

I had knee replacement 6 months ago, with post surgery sleep loss. Physician suggested that instead of 'sleep meds' I try OTC 2-25mg caps of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (non-addictive), active ingredient in antihistamine (allergy med), similar to another post here. I use house brand @ about 50% less than name brands --- has worked fine. Still taking it, tho planning on going to 1-25mg cap and determining how that works.

I think that diphenhydramine works well, but causes severe thirst that can wake you up from your sleep, causing again, restlessness. For about the past year, I've been taking NatraSleep from GNC. It's inexpensive, doesn't cause restlessness and has the typical herbal ingredients that help to induce sleep. I've found it's the only thing that's helped me, and hasn't lost its effect over time.

I recently had to take a decreasing dose of Prednisone which kept me awake. The Dr. prescribed Ambien, but my drug plan made me use the generic. I tried it two nights and it did not work. Only made me dizzy when I got up to the bathroom. The brand name Ambien does work.

Been taking Ambien for quite a while. The generic (Zolpidem) works just as well for me. I think its all in the head. You figure, new pill made who knows where won't work. Try not thinking about it. Herbal pills are not good for everyone. I have a cardiac condition. An herbal could affect me conversely.

I switched to the generic for Ambien and had some bad side effects. I would fall asleep quickly but couldn't stay asleep. There was a heaviness in my chest and I had trouble breathing. I had trouble catching my breath. This happened for about a month. As soon as I stopped the generic, it went away. The problem only occurred when I started taking the Zolpidem.

I don't have any problem with the generic for Ambien but that doesn't mean it will work as well for other people.
Ambien CR has more of the active ingredient (6.25 vs 5 mg and 12.5 vs 10 mg) than the regular Ambien - that is the difference.

Generic Ambien 10 mg tabs are not scored, making it difficult to split when I just want to take a half a tablet after I have been sleeping for 3 or 4 hours without taking any before I begin to sleep.

I was surprised to read the info. about Ambien vs Zolpidem. I have complained to my Dr. and pharmacist ever since being switched, and they act like it is in my head. Now I know it is not after reading all of the posts. There is a difference.

I have been taking Ambien for years. My doctor switched me to generic when it became available. I have had several different generic kinds and they absolutely do not work!

I may or may not fall asleep. If i do it's only for 3 hours at max. I recently noticed a strange smell when i use the bathroom and now i can smell it like it's just emitting from my pores. Generic Ambien is the only med i'm on so i'm sure that's what caused it. I will pay the $60 my drug plan requires for name brand and never ever try generic again. I don't know how they get it past FDA

the generic ambien is a very poor generic of the original. i'm not sure if it's the fillers or what but i am awake 2 hours after taking the pills? i think they need to redesign the ingredients....especially if this is a concern. i recommend everyone having a problem with this to inform doctors, pharmacists, and even write the drug company.

I have tried name brand Ambien and the generic. Neither did anything for me. I tired 10mg and 15mg. Lunesta didn't do anything for me either. Benadryl worked but gave me restless legs so it was pointless since I wasn't getting a solid nights rest. Unisom worked but left me hung over the whole next day at half a pill. Rozerem was the only thing that has worked, granted I can only take half a pill or I feel hungover. I guess everybody is different. You just got to find the dosage and med that works for you.

I don't understand why pharmaceutical companies say generic is the same. It is not! Every time I refill my Ambien rx it's from a different manufacture. They all work different. With some brands I only sleep 2-3 hours.

I had been getting the generic version of Ambien from Target and it worked so well. Recently I switched to Rite Aid and have not had a good nights rest since.

My husband has been taking ambien for over 15 years. We just recently moved (in dec) and switched from wal-mart to rite aid. He was getting the generic at both pharmacies, but only in the past few months has he had any problems. He literally went from sleeping like a log to tossing and turning all night.

Today I made him call the pharmacy and the pharmacist actually told him that he (after 15 yrs) was probably just getting too used to it - NEVER was there any mention of this "problem" that I have only discovered since searching the WWW tonight! My husband called his doctor and he called in a prescription of the name brand ambien at a cost of $290!! for a 30 day supply!

That's $280 more then we normally pay - which to my husbands sanity is worth it, but seems unfair just the same. I can't believe what a problem this is - and I'm wondering if it is the reason why since moving I too have had problems with a prescription for birth control I've been taking.

I was taking 1 from from wal-mart and since moving the prescription to rite aid in Jan, I've been all messed up and even had a lump in my breast last month. Never had a problem before moving the prescription. I think back to how many generic prescriptions our kids and us have taken over the years never knowing what an epidemic this is and it scares the life out of me!

I hope someone takes notice and makes these pharmacies change - they should not be allowed to make all of their decisions based solely on "bottom line" when dealing with the health of their patrons.