Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a central nervous system depressant (slows down your brain and spinal cord) used to treat insomnia. According to the Mayo Clinic, Ambien can help you fall asleep faster and sleep well through the night. It is available as a tablet or spray and is usually taken before you go to bed. If you are taking Ambien, it is important to know about its side effects.
Common Side Effects
Drug Information Online states that Ambien's most common side effects include drowsiness, nausea, headache, dry mouth and dizziness. Users may also experience diarrhea, fatigue and stomach problems.
Psychological Side Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, Ambien can lead to depression, confusion, hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that aren't present), irritability or nervousness. You may also experience binge eating, apathy (lack of emotion or feeling), mood swings and trouble concentrating.
Severe Side Effects
Ambien can cause serious side effects that warrant emergency help. Drug Information Online states that these serious side effects include an itchy rash, trouble breathing, chest tightness and swelling of your face, lips and throat. These are common signs of an allergic reaction to Ambien. You may also have chest pain, feel faint, have memory loss and have problems seeing.
Overdose
If you take more Ambien than prescribed, you may develop side effects from overdose. According to the Mayo Clinic, these side effects include severe clumsiness, vomiting, nausea and drowsiness. Vision problems, bradycardia (slow heartbeat) and trouble breathing are also side effects of overdose.
Physiological Dependence
According to the Mayo Clinic, users are prone to Ambien dependence if there exists a history of drug addiction. Certain types of Ambien are available for short-term use only. However, there exist other forms of Ambien with no time restrictions. The Mayo Clinic recommends that current or former drug addicts should not use the latter form of Ambien.
Sleep Behaviors
According to the Mayo Clinic, Ambien may cause sleep-related behaviors. For example, you may drive a car (sleep-drive), sleep-walk and prepare food while under the influence of Ambien. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately notify your doctor.
Member Comments