Ambien CR and Headaches: What Users Say

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

For Insomnia "I was given Zolpidem 5 mg for insomnia about a month ago. It helped me fall asleep, but I would wake up after three hours, which was my normal routine prior to taking this pill. The only benefit this dosage had was in helping me fall asleep again shortly after. After almost two weeks, I asked for an upgrade. My doctor put me on 12.5 mg of the ER version. Now I get five hours of consistent sleep. I've yet to take the higher dosage during the week since I don't always give myself an 8-hr window before waking up. I have noticed mild headaches after taking both versions. Will probably try something else once I finish both bottles."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2010

For Insomnia "I was taking Lunesta, which is fantastic, however, Blue Shield would not cover this drug until I first tried regular Ambien and then Ambien CR (in that order). Regular Ambien only put me asleep for about 2 hours. Ambien CR would work for a full night. However, both versions of Ambien gave me a dull headache as they were taking effect. The next 1-2 days following, I'd be in a really foul mood, depressed, anxious, and a real 'fight picker' with others. No such problems with Lunesta. Luckily, my employer switched to Blue Cross, which does not pay for Ambien CR but does pay for Lunesta, so I'm in luck. I wish these insurance companies would just let doctors prescribe whatever works..."

• Ive...
• March 5, 2009

For Insomnia "Ambien CR is great. You can expect a full night's sleep, waking up refreshed. Sometimes, however, I have problems with it not working at all. I will take one, wait two hours, take another, and after a little while longer, will take a third. Not only does it not put me to sleep sometimes, but it gives me a headache, and having been laying in bed for hours hoping for the Ambien to kick in, my anxiety levels shoot through the roof. After this, I surely need a few benzodiazepines to calm down. But then again, I'm still awake despite the three Ambien CR!"

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2021

For Insomnia "Awful... I've been on regular Ambien for years, 10 mg, switched to 12.5 CR, and every day so far, all day long, I feel awful... sick feeling, kinda nauseous, over-medicated feeling, and bad headaches. Sweating all day profusely when I never sweat at all. Wishing I can feel normal again, awful, awful, awful!!!"