About Ambien

Discussion forum about the side effects of Ambien. Share your experience and opinion about Ambien. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Cut the pill in half?
Date: 11/12/2008
I have ambien cr 12.5mg. What will happen it I cut the pill in half. I have tried to find out any info on this – only says not to do it, but what happens if you do?

Irene

AskDocWeb: The timed release pills are designed to dissolve slowly over time. If you cut them in half you speed up the rate at which they dissolve. That would release too much into your system at once and may result in an overdose.

It’s not working
Date: 11/12/2008
I’ve been taking Ambien for about 8 months now and I have found that I have to take 3 or 4 10mg to fall asleep. Does this mean that it’s not working anymore. Is this dangerous?

Chris

AskDocWeb: Yes, taking more than the dosage prescribed is dangerous and increases the possibility of side effects. It’s also considered drug abuse. Please discuss this with your doctor.

Angry about Weight Gain
Date: 11/13/2008
I’ve been taking Ambien for approx 8 months 5mg’s. I’ve noticed that I’ve put on about 12 lbs despite the fact that I work out 3 to 6 times a week for no less than an hour, and eat very healthy – 5 small meals a day. I stopped taking the Ambien and have not had any of the withdrawals mentioned above. Nor have I had any of the other side effects – sleep walking/eating/talking – none of them – just gaining weight and extremely angry about it. How long before I start losing it again?

Marilyn

AskDocWeb: That is one of the areas that has not been addressed. It would be helpful to future readers if you post your results and how long it takes you to loose those 12 pounds.

Overdose?
Date: 11/13/2008
I was prescribed Ambien cr 12.5 mg. I took one pill and fell asleep. My husband said that I got up about 2am and swallowed 5-8 more pills. I don’t remember doing this. Wouldn’t this be considered an overdose? Wouldn’t it have killed me? My husband made me go throw up but I don’t know if I threw the pills up or not, he didn’t check to see.

Jenny

AskDocWeb: Yes, that would be considered an overdose so most likely you vomited the extra pills. Symptoms of an overdose of Ambien may include sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

Metallic taste, sore tongue and swollen glands
Date: 11/17/2008
I started taking 10 mg of Ambien in mid July. I think 3-4 weeks later I noticed a metallic taste, sore tongue and what felt like swollen glands. It is now November and I still have these symptoms. Blood work is fine. Could these be side affects of Ambien???

Dennise

AskDocWeb: Ambien is one of the drugs that can cause metallic taste. The sore tongue and swollen glands are listed as side effects and should be reported to your doctor.

I am really scared
Date: 11/17/2008
Ambien, just had my first realized episode. My email this a.m. showed I had sent about 7 emails in the middle of the night, had no memory of having sent them. Have been arguing with my husband non-stop and crying for 2 weeks now. What have I been doing that I don’t remember? I will not take another. Even if I have to stay up every night for a week, I don’t care. This drug is dangerous!!! I am really scared. Any suggestions?

Judie

AskDocWeb: Yes, there doctors that specialize in sleep problems that are board certified sleep physicians. You can find one at your local sleep disorder center or clinic.

Amnesia for eating
Date: 11/20/2008
I have been taking Ambien for sleep problems. I have been diagnosed with GAD, general anxiety disorder. This is about my 3rd perscription. They work great, but if I take them too early I wake up around 3:00 am. If I sit up awhile, I will finally go back to sleep. My major concern is the amnesia. I have had complete conversations and not recalled it in the morning. Although after thinking about it, I can remember some of what I said. It’s sort of like being in a dream but being awake. I eat!! I looked in the fridge this morning for a banana I knew I didn’t eat but a small amount of and it was gone. My husband said he certainly didn’t eat it, he doesn’t like bananas. It was gone, so I obviously ate it. I can also remember eating several bowls of ice cream which I NEVER would do if not on the Ambien. It seems to make me lose control of my actions. But with the anxiety, menopausal symptoms, etc. I need something or I wouldn’t sleep at all. I have tried not taking it, but I tossed and turned until I got up and took it anyway. This is not good, but I don’t know what else to do. I am going to gain weight and lose my mind!! Anyone else having problems with the eating thing?

Renee

Effect of ambien on teeth and gums
Date: 11/20/2008
I have been taking Ambien every night for 19 months and have experienced short term memory loss as the only noticeable side effect. Several people have posted that their teeth and gums have been ruined, attributing this to Ambien. Two questions: 1. Is the memory loss permanent or can it be? 2. How does the drug interact with the teeth and gums? What is the relationship between losing/ruining teeth and Ambien? Thanks,

CB
AskDocWeb: The only thing the Ambien website says about memory loss is that “In most instances, memory problems can be avoided if you take AMBIEN only when you are able to get a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again.” They do not say how long this problem persists. We know that Ambien is one of the drugs that change your sense of taste but the effect on teeth and gums has yet to be explored.

No memory of trying to commit suicide
Date: 11/20/2008
I was having trouble sleeping and the fatigue from missing sleep was creating problems for me so my doctor suggested Ambien. I immediately began to experience amnesia, usually played out by making 30-45 minute phone calls to friends & family before falling asleep. I had no memory of these calls and they jokingly became known as “Ambien dialing.” One night after taking an Ambien my husband & I had a bad argument and I swallowed 28 Ambien pills. I have no memory of doing so but I came within minutes of successfully ending my life. I have a good life, a wonderful daughter and a granddaughter that I adore. I would NEVER have done tried to commit suicide and I am convinced it was the Ambien.

Geri

Ambien rape?
Date: 11/21/2008
I am interested to know if the class action lawsuit in New York came to any conclusion or if there are others going on. Ambien caused me to have episodes of amnesia. It also resulted in my being raped by my husband. I fell asleep about 9:30 and the next thing I knew, it was 2 am and I was naked from the waist down and had obvious signs of sexual activity. No matter how hard I tried to remember, I never could. This happened three years ago. The reason I call it rape is because a) I was not conscious, and b) we were nearing divorce and had not been intimate for over a year. He knowingly took advantage of me. I tried to help my doctor understand that he needs to be careful in prescribing this medication to women, especially those in situations where this might happen. I don’t think it did much good. I’d be interested in your comments.

J.
AskDocWeb: Ambien is classified as a hypnotic drug. While under the influence of a hypnotic drug your critical thinking ability is reduced and your response to suggestion is increased, that is, you become more susceptible to suggestion. When you use a hypnotic drug you are making yourself vulnerable to manipulation by those around you. We think this should be explained to every person before they use a hypnotic drug.

No problems
Date: 11/23/2008
I have been using Ambien 10 mg & the CR for about 3 years now. I have not had any of the problems that I’ve read about in the posts. After taking the pill, I fall asleep within 30 mins. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night but that is probably because Ambien goes thru your system quickly unless you take the CR. I do not feel groggy in the morning….in fact it has helped me tremondously with my sleep problems.

JoAnn

Shallow breathing
Date: 11/25/2008
Can Ambien cause shallow breathing for a 86 year old women, taking 6mg. every night? She has a number of episodes everyday. The doctor says her lungs and heart are fine.

Kathy

AskDocWeb: Yes, shallow breathing is one of the symptoms of Ambien overdose. Other symptoms of an overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

Sleep 2 hours and up the rest of the night
Date: 11/26/2008
I haven been taking sleeping pills on and off for years, Never had any real problems. We are out of the country and I took an ambien fell asleep for 2 hours and was up he rest of the night. Should I be concerned the night we arrived I took pill and slept fine thanks,

Debbie

AskDocWeb: Just being out of the country can reduce the quality and quantity of your sleep, as well as sleeping in an unfamiliar place. We wouldn’t be concerned unless it happens repeatedly.

Grogginess has started to become an issue
Date: 11/26/2008
I have been on Ambien for almost a year now-and I think it works great! Sure, there are side effects, but I think it depends on the person and their tolerance to certain medications (and what people choose to do while on the medications). I have noticed a bit of late night memory loss-like, doing random odd ball chores that someone wouldn’t normally do at midnight, and then not remember having done it the next day. Groginess has started to become an issue (always feeling like I could use a nap) but I wonder if this is because I’ve been stressed lately or it actually is the Ambien? I know this stuff has a strong lure (especially if you have frequent bouts of anxiety related insomnia-like I do) and have tried alternative methods to more natural sleep. It’s the only thing that seems to work for me. Is Ambien safe to take every night?

Moondog

AskDocWeb: The manufacturer considers long-term use to be 28 to 35 nights. We have been unable to locate any study about the safety of taking Ambien longer than 35 nights.

Dosage for 79 year old
Date: 11/26/2008
I have been taking ambien on and off for about two weeks. I have used it when I think I need deeper sleep. Without ambien I toss and turn and get about 3 hours sleep. With ambien my sleep is depper and it gives me an extra hour. I take 10 mlg just before sleeping time. I am 79 years old but am in very good physical condition. Do I need to take 12.5 mlg. besides depth ambien does not increase my sleep significantly. Instead of four hours I would want to get at least 6 hours. Could you please help me with this. Thanks,

Mel

AskDocWeb: Typically the effects of Ambien are more pronounced with age and in elderly patients an initial dose of 5 mg is recommended. The choice of any dosage beyond that should be left up to your doctor. Read more Ambien Feedback. Ambien – 51 – 52 – 53 – 54 – Page 55 – 56 – 57 – 58 – 59 – Last Page 120

---

If you find this page useful share it with others. If you have used Ambien, use the form below to add your review of Ambien, feedback or suggestions that may help others. Please note that all addresses are held confidential.