Patients often describe dizziness as a feeling of lightheadedness, feeling faint, feeling unsteady or a loss of balance. Although the terms "dizziness" and "vertigo" are sometimes used interchangeably, "vertigo" actually describes a feeling of movement or spinning and usually occurs as a result of disturbances in the inner ear. Most causes of dizziness involve a decrease in the amount of blood reaching the brain. Some medications that affect the brain, such as Ambien, can also cause dizziness.
Effects on the Brain
Classified as a sedative-hypnotic medication, Ambien, the brand name of the drug zolpidem, slows the activity in the brain, according to the PubMed Health. This effect makes Ambien effective in the treatment of insomnia. Because Ambien affects the brain, it can cause many associated side effects.
Side Effects
Dizziness associated with a loss of balance can occur as a side effect of many types of medications including sedatives and tranquilizers, according to MayoClinic.com. The sedative effects of Ambien result in these common side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, unsteady gait, difficulty balancing, weakness and an overall feeling of being drugged. Ambien can also affect other areas of the body resulting in side effects such as constipation, nausea, gas, heartburn, stomach pain, changes in appetite, dry mouth, muscle aches and uncontrollable shaking.
Preventing Dizziness
Patients who take Ambien and try to perform activities may experience dizziness. To prevent dizziness, patients should take Ambien at night only when they can devote at least seven to eight hours to sleep, according to PubMed Health. Patients who get up too soon are more likely to experience side effects such as dizziness and memory impairments.
Ambien Dependency
Doctors prescribe Ambien as a short-term treatment for insomnia. If taken for longer than two weeks, Ambien may not work as effectively. In addition, those who take Ambien for long periods of time may develop a dependency on the drug. Once the body becomes dependent on the drug, discontinuing the drug can induce negative effects including dizziness.
Discontinuation Effects
Even in those patients who take Ambien for a short period of time, side effects can occur when discontinuing the medication. PDRhealth reports that patients may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, nausea and nervousness the first one to two days after stopping the medication. Those who develop a dependency on the medication may experience signs of withdrawal including shakiness, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating and seizures.
