Ambien® (
zolpidem tartrate) is a prescription medicine commonly prescribed for the treatment of
insomnia. In order to help minimize risks while taking Ambien, dangers associated with the use of sedative/hypnotic medications should be reviewed with your healthcare provider before treatment begins.
In research studies, up to 4 percent of people stopped taking Ambien because of side effects. Based on these studies, the most commonly reported problems included daytime drowsiness,
diarrhea, and coordination problems. While most side effects are mild, some are potentially dangerous and require medical attention, such as vision changes,
depression, and hallucinations.
Other dangers associated with Ambien and similar sedative/hypnotic medicines include the potential for addiction and abuse; the risk of "sleep-driving," "sleep-eating," or other unusual behaviors; and the possibility of rebound insomnia upon stopping the drug.
