Recently, I was offered a job at a hospital. I have a urine drug test in about two weeks, and was told to bring any prescriptions with me. My concern: I take 10 mg Ambien, every night. I have a PRN prescription for it and have been taking it for years. Can I be denied employment because of this?
The reason why I'm concerned is because of my daily use of this prescription, even though it's classified as "PRN". If that makes any sense. I don't take more than 1 a day, but still...reasonable concern or am I stressing for no reason?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
we have users here making statements that zolpidem is a benzo, there are no withdrawal symptoms from stopping completely after long term use, etc.
I never said that. I said I never experienced withdrawal symptoms, and was curious what they were, as I had never heard of it being a problem (other than difficulty sleeping).
I never said that. I said I never experienced withdrawal symptoms, and was curious what they were, as I had never heard of it being a problem (other than difficulty sleeping).
You're right, and I'm sorry. And it's not the moon..it's me, I'm a monster right now LOL. Been like this since I quit smoking, which is why I'm having such a hard time with this ambien thing I think.
I never said that. I said I never experienced withdrawal symptoms, and was curious what they were, as I had never heard of it being a problem (other than difficulty sleeping).
FYI klone, this is taken from Medline Plus:
" Do not stop taking zolpidem without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken it for longer than 2 weeks. If you suddenly stop taking zolpidem, you may develop unpleasant feelings or mood changes or you may experience other withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, lightheadedness, stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, tiredness, uncontrollable crying, nervousness, panic attack, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body, and rarely, seizures."
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Good luck with the job. I'm more concerned for you that you take Ambien every night. It's supposed to be for short term use with the smallest possible dose...no, I'm not giving medical advice...just saying.
Good luck with the job. I'm more concerned for you that you take Ambien every night. It's supposed to be for short term use with the smallest possible dose...no, I'm not giving medical advice...just saying.
No need to be concerned!! It's a tolerance and a dependence on the drug. Lifelong insomniac, but fully functioning and it doesn't interfere with my life in any way, shape, or form (except for the confusion over whether or not it will cost me my job hahahahahahaha )
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Considering the half-life is only around 3 hours, could you just not take it for a couple days prior to your pee test? actually, less than 24 hours would work, but maybe two days just to be safe
Considering the half-life is only around 3 hours, could you just not take it for a couple days prior to your pee test? actually, less than 24 hours would work, but maybe two days just to be safe
Probably, but I'm still bringing the script in because it said to bring in any drug you have taken in last 30 day and I'm not taking the chance that something will show up and I didn't show that I have a rx.
:) Will let you know how this all goes down but for now I'm choosing to be positive.
Just wanted to say congrats on quitting smoking! I got an Ambien rx when I was quitting smoking 'cuz Chantix turned me into an insomniac. I brought in my rx for the drug test even though the nurse said it wouldn't show up I just didn't want to take any chances. Good luck on quitting it's the hardest thing but it's worth it.
Just wanted to say congrats on quitting smoking! I got an Ambien rx when I was quitting smoking 'cuz Chantix turned me into an insomniac. I brought in my rx for the drug test even though the nurse said it wouldn't show up I just didn't want to take any chances. Good luck on quitting it's the hardest thing but it's worth it.
Thank you for your kind words. It's nice to know someone out there can relate to what I'm going through!!
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klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
I never said that. I said I never experienced withdrawal symptoms, and was curious what they were, as I had never heard of it being a problem (other than difficulty sleeping).