What is Ambien: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take Ambien exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose.

Follow the doctor’s instructions. Ambien is only intended for short-term use.

Before taking Ambien, read the Medication Guide that comes with the medicine.

Do not take Ambien if you drank alcohol in the hours before going to sleep or right before going to sleep. 

How to take an Ambien or Ambien CR tablet:

• Take the Ambien dose right before bedtime if you have at least seven or eight hours of sleep or rest before you need to be active again.

• Ambien works best on an empty stomach.

• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Store Ambien or Ambien CR tablets at room temperature that are out of the reach of children.

Do not take a missed dose of Ambien if you do not have at least seven or eight hours to rest before you need to be active again.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to zolpidem or had any complex sleep behaviors like sleep-walking or sleep-driving when taking zolpidem.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Call your doctor if you still have trouble sleeping after you take this medicine for 7 to 10 days.

Before taking Ambien, tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Lung disease (including COPD)

• Breathing problems (including sleep apnea)

• Myasthenia gravis

• A history of depression or other mental health problems

• Thoughts about suicide

• A history of drug or alcohol abuse

Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

• Using this medicine during the last 3 months of your pregnancy (third trimester) can harm your newborn baby.

• Do not breastfeed for 23 hours after taking a dose of Ambien, but pump and throw away breast milk instead.

This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, decreased alertness, brain fog, clumsiness, or coordination problems, especially the next morning. You may be at an increased risk of accidents, falls, or injury. Do not drive or do anything else that requires alertness and coordination until these effects wear off.

This medicine may cause bizarre sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking, sleep-driving, cooking in your sleep, and similar behaviors. These behaviors are potentially hazardous and could lead to fatal injuries. Tell your doctor right away if you have learned that this has happened. Ambien will have to be discontinued.

Ambien can cause unusual moods, behaviors, or suicidal thoughts. Tell the doctor if you have problems with mood, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself. 

Ambien can be habit-forming and cause physical dependency. Do not use more than your prescribed dose or take Ambien for long periods. The inappropriate use of Ambien can lead to addiction or overdose. 

An Ambien overdose can be fatal. Get immediate emergency medical care if too much Ambien is taken.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor may need to decrease your dose slowly before you stop completely.

Ambien is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and against the law.

Keep this medicine securely out of the reach of children.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking Ambien, especially:

• Opioids

• Benzodiazepines

• Tricyclic antidepressants

• Other medicines that make you sleepy

Do not take a dose of Ambien if you have had a drink of alcohol during the evening or at bedtime.