Ambien CR Side Effects

Some of the most common side effects of Ambien CR may include daytime drowsiness, difficulty with coordination, and headache. Most problems are mild and do not require medical attention, but some should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately, such as slurred speech, coordination problems, and suicidal thoughts.

 

Ambien CR Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Ambien CR™ (zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets). However, not everyone who takes the sleep medicine will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If people do develop side effects, they are generally minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
In research studies, up to 3.5 percent of people stopped taking Ambien CR because of side effects. There appears to be a relationship between the amount of Ambien CR a person takes and side effects. This is why you should take the smallest possible Ambien CR dosage.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects of Ambien CR. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Ambien CR

Ambien CR has been studied extensively in clinical trials, with 3,660 people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to those that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, the most common side effects with Ambien CR include:
 
  • Daytime drowsiness -- up to 15 percent of people
  • Dizziness -- up to 12 percent of people
  • Headache -- up to 19 percent of people.
     
Other side effects (occurring in more than 1 percent of people) that occurred more often in the group taking Ambien CR included but were not limited to:
 
(Ambien CR Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;