AMBIEN Reviews (ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE)

Average Rating: 3.1 (1450 Ratings)

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 SEDATIVES HYPNOTICS    DEA Schedule IV   

 Type: Rx Drug

  

AMBIEN  (ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE):  Zolpidem is used to treat a certain sleep problem (insomnia) in adults. If you have trouble falling asleep, it helps you fall asleep faster, so you can get a better night's rest. Zolpidem belongs to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect. This medication is usually limited to short treatment periods of 1 to 2 weeks or less.   FDA Approval Date: 1992-12-16 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR AMBIENCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 4  to counter narcolepsy med Med I take during the day to stay awake due to narcolepsy was keeping me from sleeping at night. Initially, it was magical. I felt so much better during the day cause I was sleeping 7-8 hrs. at night. I have noticed progressively worse short term memory loss and never associated it with ambien until now. I think I'm going to stop it. The memory loss is scaring me. F 63 18 months
12.5 cr 1X day
7/5/2010
 4  Insomnia during pregnancy The only thing I noticed when I take Ambien is that I dream more. Other than that, it has been a big help. I started suffering from insomnia during my 8th month of pregnancy last year so bad that I thought I was going insane. My OB/GYN prescribed it to me. I was hesitant since I was pregnant but she said the baby would be fine. I was finally able to get a good night's sleep. After I gave birth to my son, the insomnia was still there but I had already stopped taking them a week before I delivered. Four days after I had him, I was still awake no matter what time I went to bed. My doctor advised me to take Ambien again even though I was breastfeeding, it wouldn't affect the baby. Well, after being awake for four days, I was at ease. I am now taking Ambien again because within the past week I have been having bouts of insomnia again. Thank goodness it works and I can rest. F 39 1 years
10mg 1X day
7/3/2010
 5  insomnia nothing but sleep There are a lot of negative comments here. And a lot of demands to pull this drug from the market, etc. But my experience has been so positive, I almost feel like this has saved my sanity. My insomnia became so bad that I was almost being pushed over the edge--horrible toughts at 4am, like "what's so wrong with me that I can't just sleep?!" I started down a path of heavy drinking to try to knock myself out, it was getting ugly. And my family doctor was reluctant to prescibe this drug. Finally found a doc who would, now I take one, go to bed and sleep. Life is good again!! Everyone's story is different, but used properly, this can be a lifesaver! F 32 5 years
10 mgs 1X day
6/30/2010
 1  Insomnia sleep walking, confusion, mood changes My husband has been on Ambien 20mg for 2 years for severe insomnia - he's been in the hospital a few times after going 5 to 6 days without more than 1-2 hours of sleep. I thought the delerium and hallucinations were bad when he didn't sleep, but the ambien makes it so much worse. He still doesn't sleep regularly, is up and down, and when he doesn't sleep he is so detatched and confused he has started 3 fires in the house, tried to walk down the street at 3am, etc. This is a horrible drug, and incredibly dangerous. I know it works well for some people, and it did for him in the beginning, but I don't think it should ever be used long term. After a recent increase in sleepwalking, confusion and memory loss, his doctor has finally taken him off ambien. After testing with a heart doctor, the doctor may look at some non-conventional drugs for sleep, but none of the sleeping pills seem to work for him. I sympathise with anyone dealing with insomnia, but especially for those living with someone with insomnia - sometimes I think I'm going crazy just from dealing with him. I really hope anyone using ambien has someone living with them that can alert them if they start showing any of these symptoms, otherwise the dangers can be incredibly high. Good luck to all of you dealing with insomnia. F 35 2 years
20 MG 1X day
6/28/2010
 5  Insomnia None. I've had insomnia for about 10 years. Ambien is the only medicine that I've taken for sleep that doesn't have side-effects such as morning drowsiness. It is a reliable medicine that never lets me down. F 37 4 years
10 MG 1X day
6/25/2010
 5  Insomnia Memory issues. I am honest enough to admit that this drug scares me. But it's also the only thing that has helped me to sleep. One of my earliest memories was laying awake not sleeping and as I entered my 40's it started to take it's toll. The memory issues occur when I take the pill and do something before going to bed. I know I should not do that but since it takes a while to work, it's hard to not "use" that time. The key is that after I see what I did after taking the pill (like seeing that I'd gone in and cleaned up in the kitchen) then I remember doing it. So the memory is not totally lost, just masked by the drug. At this time I have made a decision to accept this since it has been so helpful in keeping my life together. I need sleep. This is my chosen way. F 53 3 years
10 mg. 1X day
6/24/2010
 1  Insomnia Didn't always work, extremely groggy the next day if you don't get 8 hours of sleep on it. Horrible side affects when you stop taking it. I was given Ambien for insomnia. The first night I took it, it worked great and I slept 8 hours. The next night I slept 6. The third night I slept 2 hours and was a zombie the next day. After taking it off and on for three weeks, I decided to try Melatonin since it is non-addictive. The Ambien gave me terrible anxiety and horrible night mares. I had not had night mares in years, so it was definitely the Ambien. It took me a couple of weeks for it to completely be out of my system. I now use Melatonin Spray, Simalisin homeopathic sleep aid, and Vitamin B5 to sleep. No nightmares or grogginess the next day and no addiction. F 49 21 days
10 mg 1X day
6/23/2010
 5  insomnia/depression Absolutely none. I am presently taking 10 mg of Ambien and have not experienced any weird side effects at all. My physician was very firm in her instructions to not take the pill until physically getting into bed. I do and sleep great and finally wake up feeling rested (and at an early hour). I have had chronic depression/panic disorder for almost 15 years and this drug along with my other meds have given me my life back in a way better way. Ambien is a sleeping pill people. Unless you sleep standing up, don't take it and walk around, etc. If used correctly (like any other drug) it is a perfectly safe drug. Please don't pass up taking Ambien because of these crazy postings, just use common sense when taking your meds. F 51 6 months
10 mg 1X day
6/21/2010
 1  chronic insomnia There is help to allow you to sleep and IT IS NOT AMBIEN. I posted some months ago that this is the devil's drug and a portal to hell - and I still believe that. First, the help that is out there is Seroquel and can be prescribed by your doctor. It does not make you "high" (for those that are addicted or pre-disposed to get a high, you won't like it). My experience with Ambien almost ruined my marriage and my life. I went off cold turkey and of course suffered the consequences of a racing heart and lack of any sleep. My doctor (God bless him) prescribed me Seroquel and I am out in 15 or 20 minutes and sleep through the night uninterrupted (I can be awakened if needed and function properly, though a little tired). It is actually a drug to treat bipolar disorder - I am guessing the manic side of the disease... Anyway, I wanted to share this to anyone that suffers the hell of insomnia and is looking to an alternative. For me, there is absolutely no Ambien-type effects and while groggy for the first 10 minutes or so in the morning, the rest of my day is beautiful. ALL drugs manipulate our brains and like many, I wish I could get by without them. Seroquel for sleep is as close to sanity and peace that I have experienced in a long time. God bless those suffering from addictions and from the crazy games our brains can play on us - includin not letting us sleep. Keep trying - there is help and after YEARS of hell, I found it. I hope you do too. And PS: Those of you that claim to take Ambien without any side effects at all and call the rest of us addicts...well....maybe rethink your motives of belittling others. F 46 1 days
5 mg 1X day
6/21/2010
Email
 5  occasional insomnia mild aphasia - difficulty finding the proper word I take zolpidem (generic ambien) a couple of times a week. My primary difficulty is waking during the night with hot flashes then being unable to fall back to sleep for an hour or more, being wakened again an hour or two later - as many as 3 times in an 8 hour period, being awake 1-2 hours each time. Since it is usually too late in the night to take a zolpidem, I typically take one the next night to avoid building up a sleep deficit. On the days after I have taken a zolpidem I have noticed more difficulty in finding the right words. F 53 3 months
5 mg 1X AN
6/19/2010
 5  Severe life long insomnia Don't remember conversations prior to falling asleep I had heard all the experiences, I had taken Lunesta, Rozerem, Trazadone, etc. When you haven't slept 8 hours since you were under the age of 13, you are willing to take the risk. The first weeks were great. I fell asleep within 15 minutes. Since then, there are nights I take it and it doesn't work. I usually only get 4-5 hours of sleep out of it, but for me, any hours that are consecutive, are worth it. I recently had surgery and was on pain medication, so I went two months without my Ambien and I didn't crave it. I have no fear of addiction. And those conversations I don't remember are usually with the spouse and he's used to it. This drug has hurt a lot of people, I know, but it has helped those of us who can't live another day without a few hours of quality sleep. F 42 2 years
10 1X day
6/17/2010
Email
 4  Was diagnosed with Graves Disease i At first there was always a circus in my bedroom. I thought it was funny, until the animals started talking to me and I started talking back to them. Then there was the eating and the drinking. I would wake up in the morning missing food. And of course I would do a great deal of choking too. one time I woke up eating a nacho bell grande from Taco bell so I know I had been driving while I was on this stuff, so I stopped taking it. Went a few years and then the waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep started again so I started taking it again.....even when I did not need it. Then last year...I lost my job. I became so depressed that I would take it during the day just so I would not have to deal with life. Started seeing 3 doctors who would give me prescriptions. This I later found out is called "Dr. shopping" and is illegal. I have now been working for 10 months and I am trying to deal with the real cause of my insomnia which is my For me, Ambien is a great drug. I have gotten beyond the dangerous side effects because for me, sleep is no joke. I take the pill and go to bed. I have an appointment on 6/18/2010 with a sleep specialist to discuss my issues and to get me back on my ambien, but this time in a more responsible manner. I hope she gives me the 20 mgs and that I can move on with my life. I can only pray that I get my ability to sleep on my own back. But until then, I have to do what I must. This will be the only doctor I will be getting my Rx from....no more Dr. shopping. I know this drug is addictive but so is crack and since I have a choice...I'm going with the ambien. F 36 5 years
10mg 1X day
6/16/2010
Email
 5  Severe insomnia Sleep Ambien is the only thing that has ever worked for me. Changed my life. Regular people have no idea what it's like to go thru your entire life in a sleep deprived state. Ambien is a life saver. I've had none of the neg side effects some have described. It's like we're talking about 2 diff drugs. I would recommend to anyone who has severe insomnia. M 46 2 years
10 1X day
6/4/2010
Email
 1  insomnia Even more difficulty sleeping than usual (I slept off and on for only 2.5 hrs). The ceiling and door frame was moving around. It felt like a combination of smoking weed and that feeling right before anesthesia knocks you out. It was calming and I wouldn't have minded the weird visual stuff if I wasn't desperate to sleep. I now understand why one of my friends does it recreationally. I honestly thought she was making stuff up. F 20 2 days
5-10 mg 1X day
6/3/2010
 1  Insomnia Physical addiction, withdrawal, euphoria, loss of motor control, severe depression, anger, suicidal ideations,slurred speech, ravenous hunger, uncontrolled behaviors, highly unsafe sexual conduct, dangerous driving, dynamic mood swings, heart palpitations, severe memory loss So those were the "main" side effects I described. And like any good highly addicting substance, all the wreckage that goes along with it. Strain on family, destroyed relationships, job loss, etc etc. This is perhaps the most insidious drug on the market today for one reason. Opiates, benzodiazepenes, tranquilizers, you do -NOT- see commercials for on TV because there deleterious effects are well documented. Not so with Ambien though a growing body of evidence is starting to develop rapidly. The drug is horrifically addicting and like many here I found my dosage going up and up, and the physical addiction became inescapable in very short order. 6 years of my life were taken from me, and after lots of time around recovery people and a rehab I found out this drug is -quite- common in addiction circles. I absolutely do not doubt any of the horror stories I have read here because I lived many of them personally. The medication makes a truckload of money for Sanofi-Aventis so it is well worth their effort to sweep most of this under the collective rug. However with the various stories from around the internet and even the comments here I could easily see an actionable class based legal proceeding getting some traction. Summary: Only take this medication or recommend it if you -really- hate yourself or the person you are giving it too. M 37 6 years
10 4X day
6/2/2010
 4  sleep disorder I would give it a 5 if it wasn't for the hallucination like things I experienced a few times. Else than that I had no side effects at all, but if I took them for several nights on a row, I got rebound nightmares one night after stopping the med. These days I get much worse "side effects" and cannot take it, I start feeling feverish and bad. I didn't feel that at all the first 7 years I took it now and then, so I think I developed an allergy. Ambien is the best sleep med I've tried and I tried almost all of them. Nothing is as good when it comes to put me to sleep, and in a nice way. However, the med is activating, so sometimes (I have depression too), it lifted my depression and then I didn't want to sleep. The really bad things don't happen to MOST people, however is is quite common to have some episodes of experience altered states or hallucination like things. It can be a great med, but of course when you start taking it, it doesn't hurt to be on some kind of watch. Doctors should always inform about this so you can make arrangements so you cannot leave the house "asleep". F 40 7 years
5-10 mg 1X AN
5/29/2010
 3  To get high Memory loss, hallucinations, fuzzy head good feeling, makes everything look different. I used to take for sleep. No more than 10mg but noticed I hallucinated once. So me being a drug addict thought I'll peel of the outer coating and snort them. Well that got way outta hand. My family said I became delirious and would walk around the house pouring juice into ice cream and talking to invisible people and even taking my dog on a 3am walk. Poor doggie ;) No more I'm addicted and don't even remember 80% of what the heck happened. Works ok for sleep but deffinitely not a long term medicine. M 42 1 months
70mg 1X day
5/27/2010
 4  Insomnia None I take only 1/4 to 1/2 a 10 mg. pill - it's just enough to push me over into sleep - takes the edge off. I wake too early (terminal insomnia) and am early perimenopausal but the ambien helps me to get at least 6 to 6 1/2 hours sleep. Can't take Ambien CR or the full 10mg Ambien as it causes lingering grogginess the next day. I think that adjusting the dosage and not taking the full 10 mg. greatly reduces adverse events/effects/addiction. I have taken Ambien off and on for 5 years and am not addicted. Reducing anxiety through yoga/exercise/diet/meditation helps much more than any sleeping aid. F 38 5 years
10 mg 1X day
5/25/2010
 3  unable to sleep due to stress In 2006 I was experiencing a lot of stress and was unable to sleep. My doctor prescribed Ambien. It worked and I took it for several months before deciding that I should probably taper off of it. I then had the "brilliant" idea that I would take it only on Sunday night only so as to be refreshed for the week. I had side effects but I didn't realize it was from the Ambien. I had headaches that wouldn't stop. I would guess that I had a horrible headache for one solid year. I would come home from work and feel exhausted and thought if I laid down and took a nap that it would be o.k. because I could take an ambien at night to sleep. What a vicous , ugly cycle. I woke up several times unable to breath, had black-out like periods where I can't remember anything. Sexual experiences that I sort of remebered things I thought I had done but really couldn't. I felt sluggish all day at work and just felt flat and some what depressed. Finally on my birthday this year I decided to stop usi Doctors need to use caution when prescribing this medicine. My doctor prescribed it and didn't try anything else. He also encouraged me to use it periodically as I felt needed. F 46 3.5 years
10 mg 1X day
5/25/2010
 1  Insomnia I WILL KEEP THIS BRIEF AND TO THE POINT: THIS DRUG IS EVIL!! SHOULD BE PULLED FROM THE MARKET!!!!!!!!!!!!! REPORT YOUR DOCTOR IF THEY PRESRIBE IRRESPONSIBLY! F 36 5 years
10 1X day
5/25/2010

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