The most common side effects with Ambien are drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and difficulty with coordination.  Drowsiness can usually be avoided if Ambien is taken only when you can devote a full 7 to 8 hours to sleep.  To manage these side effects, take only the prescribed dose, avoid mixing with other medications without consulting your doctor, and take caution during activities that require complete awareness when starting an Ambien regimen.

Other side effects can include memory loss, dependence, changes in behavior and thinking processes, and sedation in an unborn baby in pregnant women.  Memory loss typically occurs for the first several hours after taking the medicine.  Thus it can usually be avoided by ensuring that you have a full night to devote to sleep.  Dependence is a possiblity with all sleep medicines.  However, the risk for dependence is low if Ambien is taken for the prescribed duration only.  Changes in behavior and thinking are uncommon in cases of Ambien use, but can include:
• more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal
• loss of personal identity
• confusion
• strange behavior
• agitation
• hallucinations
• worsening of depression
• suicidal thoughts

If you experience any of these changes, call your doctor.
 
 

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