Get Informed: Ambien

76

Patient Comments about
Ambien

Active Ingredient(s)

Zolpidem

What does it do?

Ambien

This product is commonly used for the treatment of insomnia. It is believed to work by acting upon GABA(A) receptors in the brain.

Last Text Update:
 2009-Nov-21 12:43 AM
Last Data Update:
 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM

Other Names

  • Ambien
  • Ambien CR
  • Zolpidem
  • Zolpidem Tartrate
  • Stilnox
  • Edluar
  • Zolpimist

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
2: General
Pregnancy Category:
C
Black Box Warning:
No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
16 Dec 1992
Est US Patients*
7,874,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

19

< 21

25

21-39

35

40-59

21

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Ambien or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Ambien

There have been no alerts regarding Ambien during the past year.

Ambien Safety Report

2: General

The iGuard risk rating for Ambien is blue. It means that Ambien normally has a low risk of serious or long-term side effects if used under normal medical supervision.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Ambien interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Ambien used for?

iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 46,200 patients that use Ambien (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Insomnia 90% 5
Sleep Apnea 3% 5
Pain 3% 5
Bipolar Disorder 2% 5
Other 9% 5

How well does Ambien work?

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 46,200 users taking Ambien (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

65 67
81%
of patients are confident that the good things about Ambien outweigh the bad things.
18%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Ambien.

Common Side Effects of Ambien

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 46,200 users taking Ambien (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

41%

41% of patients experience side-effects on Ambien

4%

4% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Ambien


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 10% Grogginess/Confusion
  • 10% Memory/Speech Problems
  • 5% Sleep Problems
  • 5% Headache
  • 5% Fatigue
  • 5% Drowsiness
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Dehydration, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Increased Appetite, Insomnia, Mental Haziness, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain, Nausea, Nausea/Vomiting, Palpitations, Rebound Insomnia, Tremor, Vivid Dreams


Global Patient Feedback for Ambien (Zolpidem) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I have heard that you can build a resistance to Ambien Cr and that eventually it willl not work. Is this true? If so how long after continued use(every day) would this occur?

Thank You

55 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-20 14:57:05

Answer/Reply:

I cannot break the ambien cr habit. I plan to retire soon and will make a concerted effort to stop taking this habituating drug. I am told it will take 3 to 6 months to titrate down and regulate my sleep habits, if it can be done at all.

I am a 67 year old male.

67 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-25 01:40:31

Answer/Reply:

How long have you been on it? What dose do you take. I have been on 12.5mgs for about four months and I have found it to be very helpful.

55 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-30 12:27:28

Answer/Reply:

Ambien is an excellent sleeping aid, if only taken when need it. and you can try Sleepy Time Herbal Tea to help relax your body and send you off to lala land.
Any sleeping aid can become addictive. So i advise you to always consult with your physician first and follow his or her instructions.
64 year old female

64 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-26 21:53:31

Question/Comment:

I recently belived i was having a heart attack, to make it short it wasnt, it was anziety attack from insomnia the er dr gave me a shot of Ativan, i had an immediate reaction, the same as described on a sleeping pill he prescribed zolpidem, my question is if i am allergic to ativan, is this sleep aid going to have the same effect on me, i havent used it yet?

55 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-13 16:11:59

Answer/Reply:

The two drugs are different BUT that doesn't mean you would not react to zolpidem. You may want to be sure you are not alone when you take it for a week or two-so the other person can either help or tell you if you did anything unusual after taking it--that you might not remember on awakining.

69 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-15 18:59:04

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

No, it is unlikely that you would have the same reaction to zolpidem, as it is in a different drug class and has a different chemical structure. Insomnia can cause a variety of health issues, anxiety being one of them. Getting a good night of sleep is important. You may find that you are well rested while taking the zolpidem. If the zolpidem does not help you, there are plenty of medications that have anti-anxiety actions and cause drowsiness and may help you sleep better.

You should make a follow up appointment with your primary doctor so that you can have regular care for your anxiety and insomnia. You may also want to ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist who can provide you with some tools to help you manage your anxiety triggers and feelings.

Posted: 2009-08-19 10:39:04

Question/Comment:

I was prescribed xanax originally for anxiety and sleep but then my doctor told me to take ambien for sleep and clonopin for anxiety. They both don't work for me and my depression is getting worse day by day but my new doctor won't prescribe xanax even though I was doing better on xanax alone. I just took my ambien to go to sleep and here I am trying away its not working anymore.

26 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-07 00:48:57

Answer/Reply:

I went through a depression/anxiety phase 2 years ago. Couldn't sleep. It got worse. Ambien is crap, clonopin(ativan) will make you nuts and it's addictive. Have your doctor give you Remeron for sleep. I used a 15mg pill cut in half. Works great. I used Prozac for the depression and I'm fine now. All I take now is 1/4 pill of Remeron for sleep. If your doctor won't do this, fire him and get a new one.

38 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-16 12:14:21

Answer/Reply:

I take a sleep herb mix of valerian, hops, chamomille, ^& melatonin. it works pretty good. it is worth a try. Swanson
Vitamins sells these called Sleep In. that is what I use.

53 yr. old female

25 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-17 14:12:12

Answer/Reply:

I am not sure what dose you are on. I take 5mg. Some nights I have to double if my pain from 5 spine surgeries is uncontrolable. I include 2 Melatonin tablets with my Ambien every night. It seems to help take the edge off. I take 6 RX's and all are suppose to make me tired but I have a high tollerance after 4 years! I understand your frustations. I also do crosswords till I fall asleep! Ask your doctor about the Melatonin or another natural sedative (there are several) you can take with your Ambien. Better yet the Pharmacyst. Beverly-Magnolia, TX

38 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-23 22:03:11

Answer/Reply:

Whatever you do, do not go back on Xanax, all my mental health and regular doctors state that it is very habit forming and to quit taking is like very Bad Drug Withdrawal. Are you taking the Ambien CR or just regular Ambien? I take the Regular Ambien and it puts me to sleep right away, which is better for individuals having trouble going to sleep. The CR version is not really strong enough at bedtime, but is released over time to help people that wake up during the night. If you are depressed, Clonopin will not help, you need something for depression, not anxiety, like Prozac, Zoloft, etc. I take Effexor CR 300 mg per day and it really works! The Prozac worked for about 3 years as did the Zoloft. Pls be honest with your Doctor about the Depression and get Depression Meds or seek another Doc. Do not go back on Xanax!

55 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-27 00:45:46

Question/Comment:

I have been using Ambien for 1 week and it really helps me to be able to sleep, but I have started getting terrible headaches in the early afternoon. I also feel a little more depressed, even though I am taking Cymbalta (I've been on Cymbalta for 2 years). I feel like I'm in a daze. It's kind of hard to explain this weird feeling.

39 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-04 19:20:26

Answer/Reply:

I take ambien on occasion when i get extrememly tired from not sleeping several nights in a row. It makes me slow; a little depressed and it takes about 2 nights to get those feelings to go away. Have you ever tried melatonin?

34 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-17 09:33:26

Answer/Reply:

I know how you feel. I have been taking Ambien also for a few years and also Trazadone to sleep. I have been sleeping very well, but if a take the 2 meds and wait a long time to go to bed then I will not be able to sleep right away. It takes me 1-2 hours to fall asleep and while I'm tossing & turning I have anxiety problems. I also take Welbutrin in the am. I also get headaches but that is one of the side effects of Ambien, also dizziness and drowsiness. I think this is whats happening to you (with the weird feeling). Talk to your doctor. Maybe he can make some changes. Cymbalta did not work for me. It could be also the 2 meds together.

40 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-18 12:30:28

Answer/Reply:

Please check out side effects of Cymbalta. I was on it for 2 years and it turned me into a zombie. Then weaning off took over a year and was the worst thing I ever experienced with these things called brain zaps.

65 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-18 23:22:31

Answer/Reply:

I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE AMBIEN FOR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. IN LATE AFTERNOON I TOO GET A HEADACHE. BUT BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON IT IS SO BAD THAT BY THE TIME I GET HOME I'M READY FOR ANOTHER ONE AND GOING TO BED VERY EARLY. THEN OVER THE WEEKEND I'M OK. THIS HAPPENED FOR 2 WEEKS STRAIGHT...STILL HAD EARLY AFTERNOON HEADACHES BUT BY FRIDAY THIS TIME I WAS OK. MAYBE JUST GETTING USE TO IT NOW

59 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-23 10:14:21

Answer/Reply:

Do you take your meds in the morning or night ? I take Lexapro and I have to take it at night because after it gets in my system..I get sleepy. I also take Ambien @ night, ofcourse.

47 year old Female

Posted: 2009-10-08 12:38:00

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

You can take your Lexapro in the evening or morning as long as you are consistent each day. Ambien as you have stated is indicated at bedtime only.

Posted: 2009-11-03 20:59:37

Question/Comment:

I received my script 3 days ago and although it definitely helps me sleep, it also has affected my life. First night I took 10 mg and made the mistake of waiting 20 minutes before I went to bed. I could barely walk. And when I had to visit the restroom in the middle of the night I almost fell down from weakness. The second night I decided to go to bed immediately after taking it. Last night I decided to only take 1/2 dose (5 mg) since I had no luck going to sleep on my own. I didn't experience the weakness, but I slowly have become more and more depressed. I'm already on Citalopram for depression, but for some reason my doctor prescribed it anyways. She also told me it wasn't the drug that made you drive/eat in your sleep, and it wasn't addicting.
So, I guess my choices now are being depressed or lying in bed listening to myself going over every detail of the day and what I'm going to do to solve my problems, etc. Can't win for losin'.

62 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-02 00:15:23

Answer/Reply:

I have had the same problems you have experienced. My doctor tried all the various sleeping rx's and none worked for very long. We finally tried OTC ibuprofin pm with melitonin (natural sleep aid) this has helped me immensely. I also have a real bedtime routine. I use lavender spray on my pillow and light a lavendar candle in my room about 1/2 hr before going to bed. I also try to take a shower before bed with lavendar soap. All these seem to help most of the time. I still have an occassional bad nite, but usually when I am stressed out more than usual or have had caffeine close to bedtime. For my depression I have tried it all and the best results I have had is with cymbalta, I feel like a new woman using this really. Nothing is a miracle but this improved my ever day outlook 100%, I can actually get out of bed in the morning! Good luck and don't stop trying different things. We are all different in what works for us. Just thought I would share these with you....53/female

53 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-19 17:35:23

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