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Ambien® and Ambien CR® (Zolpidem) are used to treat insomnia. They make you relax to help you fall asleep. Ambien CR helps you stay asleep. Ambien may also be used for other purposes.
How does Ambien work?
Ambien is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It affects the imbalance of brain chemicals that can cause insomnia.
How is it taken?
Zolpidem comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long acting) tablet taken by mouth. Zolpidem will work faster if it is not taken with or immediately after a meal. Take zolpidem exactly as directed and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand.
Zolpidem should only be taken at bedtime or when you will be able to stay in bed for 7-8 hours afterward. Take it with a full glass of water. Do not split, chew, or crush extended release tablets. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture - not in the bathroom.
Ambien comes in 5 mg (pink) or 10 mg (white) capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets. Ambien CR comes in 6.25 mg (pink) round tablets.
Is there a generic version?
Regular Ambien has a generic version; Ambien CR does not.
 How fast does it work?
Zolpidem should make you feel very sleepy right away and remain sleepy for several hours. You should begin to sleep better within 7-10 days after you start taking zolpidem. If you don’t, or if your sleeping problems get worse, call your doctor.
Getting up too soon after taking zolpidem can cause memory problems.
What should I tell my doctor before taking Ambien?
- if you are allergic to any medications.
- what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take, especially medications for anxiety, colds or allergies, mental illness, pain, seizures or insomnia. You may not be able to use this medication, or your doctor may change the dosage or monitor you for side effects.
- if you have a history of substance abuse. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had depression; a problem with heavy snoring; sleep apnea; breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema; myasthenia gravis (condition that causes weakness of certain muscles); or liver or kidney disease.
- if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ambien may be harmful to an unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking it, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed while you are taking zolpidem.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking zolpidem.
Are there side effects with Ambien?
Ambien can impair your thinking or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking it. Until you know how this medication affects you, be careful if you drive, operate machinery or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Continue taking Ambien, but talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
- daytime drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, feeling "drugged" or light-headed;
- weakness, lack of coordination;
- amnesia, forgetfulness;
- vivid or abnormal dreams;
- diarrhea, constipation, stomach problems;
- headache, muscle pain; or
- changes in appetite
- dry mouth or throat
- heavy menstrual bleeding
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Some side effects can be serious. Stop taking Ambien and call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
 rash, hives or itching- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- hoarseness
- nausea, vomiting
- pounding heartbeat
- chest pain
- blurred vision or other vision problems
- worsening sleep problems;
- depressed mood, thoughts of hurting yourself;
- unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
- aggression, feeling agitated;
- hallucinations, confusion, loss of personality.
Zolpidem may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol can make side effects worse.
Symptoms of overdose can include drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing or heartbeat. In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What else should I know about Ambien?
Zolpidem is usually taken for short periods of time. If you take it for longer than two weeks, it may not work as well as it did when you first began to take it. If you take zolpidem for a long time, you may also become dependent upon it. Talk to your doctor about the risks. Do not take more zolpidem, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking zolpidem without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken it for longer than two weeks. You could experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, shakiness, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting or sweating.
Some people using this medicine have driven their car, eaten or made phone calls and later had no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking Ambien and talk with your doctor about using a different treatment.
Related articles
The importance of sleep
I can't sleep!
Tips for a better night's sleep
Sources
MedlinePlus (National Institutes of Health: Department of Health & Human Services.)
Drugs.com (Physicians' Desk Reference, Cerner Multum and Thomson Micromedex.)
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