Ambien is the brand name of a medication called zolpidem, a sedative-hypnotic that is prescribed for the short-term treatment of sleeping difficulties. Ambien helps people fall asleep and stay asleep by relaxing the brain. This medication is most effective when it is only used for short periods of time. After continuous use for two weeks or more, Ambien often begins to lose its effectiveness, reports Medline Plus. Ambien is generally safe and well-tolerated, although some side effects may occur.
Complex Sleep-Related Behaviors
Ambien and other sedative-hypnotic medications have been known to cause people to engage in complex behaviors while asleep that they do not remember performing the next day, warns the United States Food and Drug Administration. After taking Ambien, people has sometimes gotten out of bed and engaged in behaviors such as eating large quantities of food, making phone calls, having sex and driving. Numerous people have reported not having any recollection of engaging in these behaviors the next day. These complex sleep-related behaviors, particularly driving while not fully awake, are potentially very dangerous.
Allergic Reactions
In rare cases, Ambien may cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction including swelling of the face, tongue, throat or lips, difficulty breathing and hives. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after taking Ambien should seek immediate emergency medical attention, because the symptoms of swelling face and throat may potentially cause life-threatening difficulties breathing, Drugs.com explains.
Drowsiness
Ambien causes the brain to sleep. As a result, people may sometimes experience drowsiness and sleepiness the morning after taking Ambien, particularly if they do not get a full seven to eight hours of sleep. People have also experience a headache, dizziness, a "drugged feeling", blurred vision, memory problems and balance or coordination problems, reports Medline Plus.
Stomach Problems
Side effects affecting the stomach have also been reported by people taking Ambien. These side effects include upset stomach and nausea, stomach pain or tenderness, gas, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation. In addition, some people taking Ambien have reported changes to their appetite, explains Medline Plus.
Mental Effects
In addition to drowsiness, Ambien may cause additional mental side effects. People taking Ambien have reported bouts of depression and unusual thoughts, such as thoughts of hurting themselves. Ambien may also result in decreased inhibition and a loss of the sense of fear or danger, which can lead to excessive risk-taking behavior, Drugs.com reports. Ambien may also cause hallucinations, personality changes and vivid or abnormal dreams. Aggression, anxiety and feelings of restlessness or agitation have also been reported.
Additional Side Effects
Ambien has also been reported to cause several additional side effects, including dry throat or mouth, eye irritation or redness and ringing or itching in the ears. People taking Ambien have also reported muscle cramps or aches, neck, back or joint pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, Medline Plus explains.
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