How to get ambien?

So I like many on this site have lots of time on my hands late at night on giant flying metal tubes. I know a lot of people really like ambien for flights... How do I go about asking my doctor for a RX for ambien for travel purposes? Will a reputable doctor give ambien purely for jet lag?

Yup, pretty much.

Yes. My doctor gives it to me for cruises as I am trapped in the cabin with my wife who has been known to snore like a freight train.

By the way we are going to Europe next year. Two of the legs will be long enough that she will no doubt sleep during them. If you find yourself on these flights, I will share the sleeping pills with the entire cabin.

Has your wife had a sleep study? If not, she should strongly consider it to help eliminate snoring and rule out sleep apnea (which many people don't realize can have serious health consequences if left untreated).

Sure, just tell him why you're asking. Do avoid buying it via the internet as you have no way to tell what's really in those pills.

I would simply put in a call to your regular Dr, ask the nurse to have the Doc call in a script for Ambien as you're taking a long flight soon. Most of the time, they'll just do it and you don't have to worry about co-pay/visit. I get my travel supplies of Ambien and Xanax this way. Note: make sure they prescribe the generic version or at least allow the pharmacist to fill generically. Once a Dr. signed the scrip "no substitution" and I wound up paying a fortune. Wonder if he got a kick-back.

If you've never taken them before take one at home so you know what the effects are going to be. It's good and it works but it does have some odd side-effects especially amnesia.

Thanks for the replies all!

Ask your doctor about Lunesta, instead. Almost no hangover, and lower common side effects.

Get the 3mg size, and cut them in half, if you need about five hours of sleep (YMMV).

Unfortunately under most medical plan formularies, it is much more expensive.

Same for Xanax, which is what I use.

Amnesia! Did I or didn't I take that cruise? Let me check. Ok, the trip report is still there, so I must have. I need to remember to read that package insert. Or wait, maybe I did already. I don't remember or do I.

Except the metallic aftertaste that lasts all day.

One plus for zolpidem (Ambien) is that it lasts a few hours less than Lunesta. Lunesta (or Ambien CR) is a bad choice for a flight of less than eight hours or so.

Zaleplon (Sonata) is actually great for travel, as it lasts just a few hours, so taking it on a US redeye is not a dangerous thing.

Your Dr. should have a stash of free samples he/she can give you.

most docs will give a few ambien........try the ambien cr

[QUOTE=ralfp;10786693]Except the metallic aftertaste that lasts all day.

One plus for zolpidem (Ambien) is that it lasts a few hours less than Lunesta. Lunesta (or Ambien CR) is a bad choice for a flight of less than eight hours or so.
QUOTE]

I've had little problem with the metallic taste. It's only noticeable when I cut one in half. For me, coffee seems to make it go away.

As to taking a Lunesta on a flight, I've woken up four hours into a 1.5mg dose due to turbulence, got up and used the lavatory, sat back down and was asleep in a minute. Ninety minutes later I woke up pretty refreshed. A cup of coffee later, and I felt great.

I've taken Ambien, I've taken Ambien CR, I've taken Benedryl, I've taken Rozerem.... Nothing works like Lunesta. But again, YMMV.

Just buy these from countries where you don't need a prescription at all. Just walk to the pharmacy and tell what you would like to buy.