Ambien (zolpidem) is a prescription medication used to help people suffering from insomnia to go to sleep and stay asleep for 7-8 hours. If you try to get up earlier than that, memory problems can be experienced for several hours after that. Make sure you swallow the extended-release tablets whole without crushing or chewing them. You are supposed to feel better after 7-10 days of using Ambien. If you do not experience better sleeping patterns and wake up at night, talk to your health care provider about the treatment. Tell your health care provider about any medications you are taking at the moment or are planning to take in the nearest future. Make sure you mention any of the following ones: colds&allergies medications, antidepressants, medications for anxiety, tranquilizers, drugs for mental illness, sedatives, itraconazole, seizures, rifampin, sleeping pills, imipramine, painkillers, and sertraline. Also tell your doctor if there are any medical conditions you have that can require a lower dose of Ambien. The following medical conditions are important to mention: emphysema, bronchitis, depression, liver or kidney disease, problem with heavy snoring, myasthenia gravis, sleep apnea, and asthma. Make sure you avoid drinking alcohol while taking Ambien. Drinking alcohol can make you feel worse and cause some symptoms that should be avoided. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you get suicidal thoughts, confusion, depression, unusually outgoing behavior, difficulty concentrating, slowed speech, hallucinations, memory problems, or aggressiveness, as these may de the signs of your treatment going wrong. Other serious side effects that need to be reported to your health care provider may include: blurred vision, hives, itching, hoarseness, swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat, chest pain, pounding heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, rash, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. However, in most cases you are likely to get just minor side effects likely to disappear on their own without any need for your doctor’s interference. The following mild side effects are reported most often: headache, eye redness, unusual dreams, muscle aches, drowsiness, changes in appetite, heartburn, dizziness, burning or tingling, stomach pain, unsteady walking, diarrhea, gas, constipation, ringing, heavy menstrual bleeding, dry mouth, itching in the ears, and general weakness.
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