Ambien (zolpidem) is a hypnotic medicine (a sedative) prescribed to patients suffering from insomnia. It works by restoring the balance of chemicals in your brain responsible for preventing you from falling and staying asleep. You can feel the effect of Ambien even after waking up the next morning. If you still feel sleepy avoid such activities as driving or operating some machinery to avoid injuring yourself or others. Ambien is used to normalize sleeping patterns in patients suffering from insomnia and needs to be taken for 4-5 weeks at the most. Do not continue using this habit-forming medicine if your doctor told you to stop.

You can continue taking this medicine if you become dizzy, light-headed, constipated, experience blurred vision, stuffy nose, sore throat or a headache. These mild effects are likely to go away on their own. Pregnant or breastfeeding women must not start taking this medicine without previously discussing it with their health care provider, as Ambien has been reported to harm unborn babies and pass into breast milk. Gradual withdrawal is recommended in case of taking Ambien, as stopping suddenly can cause serious symptoms, such as anxiety, panic, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, seizures, muscle cramps, sweating and behavior changes. Your doctor will tell you how to avoid these symptoms.