Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) is a medication used for the treatment of insomnia. It is taken in pill form and is available in 5 and 10 mg doses. This drug is available in both regular and extended release tablets (Ambien CR). It is important that you follow the instructions carefully while using Ambien. There are several common side effects associated with it. You should discuss these with your physician prior to using this drug.
Headache
According to Drug Information Online, next-day headache is a common side effect of Ambien. This side effect may diminish after a period of time, once your body adjusts to this medication. You may treat your headache with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your headache becomes severe and is accompanied by visual changes, contact your physician. It may be a sign of something more serious.
Drowsiness and Dizziness
Next-day drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects of Ambien. When you first start taking it or any other sleep medicine, until you know whether the medicine will still have some carryover effect on you the next day, use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car, operating machinery or piloting an aircraft. If drowsiness and dizziness is severe and alters your daily lifestyle, contact your physician. You may need to stop taking Ambien.
Increased Tolerance or Dependence
Some people may develop an increased tolerance for Ambien. This means that after using this medication for a period of time, it is no longer strong enough to work for you and you may need to increase your dose. This occurs when you are unable to sleep without taking Ambien for days on end. To decrease your risk of developing these side effects, make sure that you only take Ambien for as long as your doctor prescribes.
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