Ambien CR User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Bra...
• December 20, 2015

For Insomnia "I have severe insomnia, and Ambien CR has worked very well for me. Previously, I tried the Ambien IR, and while it did knock me out for a good 3-4 hours, it didn't help me to stay asleep, and the Ambien CR does just that. My only complaint is some days I seem to be very drowsy and sluggish, but most of the time I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2011

For Insomnia "So far, I really like Zolpidem ER (generic form). I was having a lot of trouble falling asleep because my mind was always racing. My doctor prescribed 6.25 mg at first, and this did not really seem to help. He then suggested that I take two (to equal 12.5 mg), and this did the trick. I try to make sure I'm done with dinner and any snacking by 7-8 PM, and I take this at 10 PM, right as I'm getting into bed. This softly puts me to sleep within 20-30 minutes. I've read it should not disturb 'sleep architecture.' I gave an 8 because I still wake up about 3-4 am, but I can fall back asleep."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 12, 2024

For Insomnia "I was diagnosed with RLS, which led to severe insomnia. I tried several other medications before my doctor prescribed me Ambien. While the other medications made it easier to sleep, the Ambien actually stopped the RLS, while also, as a side effect, helped me get to sleep. Ambien has changed my life in such a positive manner. It is generally not prescribed long-term, but I have been a daily user for 4 years now. When I have stopped for various reasons, my RLS comes right back. For me, it's been a miracle."

• a...
• August 9, 2013

For Insomnia "Ambien CR is my most recent attempt to circumvent my chronic insomnia. After taking it, I go directly to bed. It typically takes an hour or more to have any effect. I will get 2-3 hours of restful slumber before I wake. Going back to Klonopin & Lunesta."

• OTC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

For Insomnia "My doctor prescribed Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg, and I gave it a real honest shot for a little over a week. It did a good job initially getting me to sleep, but after about an hour, I would wake up and be in a state of half sleep/half wake the rest of the night (totally exhausted the next day). I remember one day I was in a meeting with my manager talking about filing emails (super simple discussion), and suddenly numbers and formulas were flying around my head like you see in those TV shows (Numbers, or the Librarians) where a person is solving complex formulas in their head. Except we were just talking about filing emails, and I couldn't get rid of all these numbers & equations that were swimming in my vision! It was super distracting, and I feel like it was definitely a hallucination, but not necessarily a crazy one, just a bit out of place. I stopped taking it after that week. I occasionally switch between it and OTC if I need something, but I really don't find it helpful for restful sleep."

• Jer...
• January 5, 2018

For Insomnia "Having insomnia and anxiety for years. This issue had been struggling me. First, the doctor prescribed me benzodiazepines “Nitrazepam” 5mg for daytime during work. And “Valium” 10mg for nighttime. It doesn’t work for me, both. Even worse are those side effects. I tried so many different types of pills. Lastly, I've been prescribed Stilnox CR 12.5mg for the night. Which works pretty awesome. Which now I can sleep 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and I can control my anxiety during work time. Probably I had enough sleep, that's why. Amazing pill!"

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

For Insomnia "I stopped taking Ambien because I had built up a tolerance to it. I waited a year and tried it again in the CR version. It made me fall asleep but only allowed me to sleep for a few hours, which is more than I was getting."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2009

For Insomnia "This drug does work great for sleep. I have used it for several years actually, and it never fails to put me to sleep. PLEASE BE WARNED! I did take some and had an accident (no one was hurt, thank goodness), but I did receive a DUI for it, even though I was just 0.002% (and yes, I mean percent, not mg) above the legal threshold for intoxication (no excuse, just saying courts don't go easy on you). I was not taking more than prescribed, but I had it in my system when I rear-ended someone. This was after taking it for years, so I was very tolerant of it, and I remember everything from it, it was just a minor accident. Do not drive if you think there is any in your system. I am not saying be afraid of it, it really, really works. Just be careful."

• Mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 18, 2016

For Insomnia "I have chronic insomnia from fibromyalgia and severe back pain. I've been taking the generic Zolpidem XR for years, and it always seemed to work. For some reason, it stopped working for me about 3 months ago. I never had any side effects. No memory loss, sleepwalking, or anything else, and though always a restless sleeper causing me to wake every time I turn over from the pain, I could always fall right back asleep and wake refreshed. Not sure what to take now since it's lost its efficacy, but while it worked, it was fabulous. Trying Temazepam, but it's like taking a placebo. No effect at all."

• Dew...
• December 12, 2017

For Insomnia "Took this drug for about 4 years, the 12.5 mg dosage. I had always been a chronic insomniac and had tried everything, including regular Ambien (not the CR), none of which worked reliably. When I first started CR, it worked well for about a year, but then it was only effective about every 3rd day. It nearly killed me, literally. Some horrible side effects: chronic fatigue; splitting temporal lobe headaches (left side of head near temples); sporadic, frequent pain behind my left eye; rapid weight loss (45 pounds, was 210, ended up 165 at 6' tall); muscular pain all over, serious depression, nightmares, dry eye and blurriness; and the feeling I was dying quickly. I stopped cold turkey, and in 3 days ALL my symptoms were gone!!"

• Sol...
• May 7, 2008

For Insomnia "I have been taking Ambien CR for about 6 months now. I have had no side effects. I have not gotten up and got on the computer or driven to any place that I was not aware I was going. It helps me not to have nightmares. If you need something to help you sleep, then take it."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2012

For Insomnia "I have taken Ambien (10 mg) on several occasions for short periods of time, and it worked just fine (knocked me out in 20 min and gave me 5 to 6 hours of sleep). But, my doctor recently added Ambien CR to my nightly cocktail, and it has not worked like the doctor or the website said it would. I have been taking it for a week. I expected it to knock me out and keep me asleep. I have done everything like I have been told to do and have been taking it before bed, and all it has been doing is taking 3 to 4 hours to knock me out and makes me totally loopy in the morning. The effect is basically lengthened and delayed. I am hoping to switch back to the original Ambien formula when I see the doctor next month!"

• swd...
• December 4, 2008

For Insomnia "I was taking regular Ambien and was waking up after a few hours and not able to get back to sleep. I switched to Ambien CR and have been sleeping through the night. I have not experienced any side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2011

For Insomnia "Well, I have been on Ambien CR 12.5 mg for close to 6 years now and absolutely love it. I think it is the best thing since sliced bread. I developed insomnia when I started doing shift work and tried everything under the sun, starting with melatonin, Benadryl, Restoril, and all the new ones that have come out since. Although some were helpful with helping me fall asleep, they did not keep me asleep past the 3-4 hour mark, so the Ambien CR has been great for me."

• stl...
• March 31, 2010

For Insomnia "I just started using Ambien CR, and like most of the people, I was scared to take it because of all of these weird side effects that people experience, but thank GOD it worked on me just fine. My doctor was gentle to me, and she prescribed only 5 mg, and I must say it worked like a charm. I took it, and half an hour later (maybe even less), I was deep in sleep. I did sleep close to 5 hours, and I must say I don't remember the last time I was feeling so refreshed and so rested. Other medicines I've tried put me asleep, but when I would wake up, I would feel so groggy. I'm finally happy to say that I found a medicine that works for me."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2009

For Insomnia "I have taken Ambien CR on a nightly basis for nearly two years now and have found that it is truly helpful. I have found that after a year or so on a 6.25 mg dosage, I had to go up to 12.5 mg in order to achieve the same result. Other than developing a tolerance to it, however, I have found that Ambien CR is extremely effective. I am able to fall asleep easily, and my sleep is a very peaceful one that leaves me feeling well rested in the morning."

• Ano...
• June 4, 2015

For Insomnia "I've experienced 12 years of chronic sleep and anxiety disorders. Zolpidem ('Ambien') will not 'knock you out' or reduce anxiety levels, instead, it creates hypnotic effects that have caused me further issues with uncharacteristic night terrors and blackouts. As per the warning label, do NOT try to drive or operate heavy machinery while using this medication."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2009

For Insomnia "This is very effective, but take only right before you go to bed. I did not do this once and ended up sleepwalking to my car, driving and rear-ending someone. I had no memory of doing this - only found out details by reading the police report. Take only as prescribed."

• No...
• January 5, 2016

For Insomnia "I've taken both Ambien and Ambien CR. It caused interesting side effects from day one. I found that whatever was on my mind before taking the meds (i.e., I had to do laundry/clean the house the next day or go to a sale), I'd end up getting up and doing them that night before falling asleep and not even remember it the next day! I would vacuum at 2 a.m., cook whole meals, get in my car to go to a tech store sale, and come home with 100 movies (some 2 or 3 copies)! My husband didn't mind the extra wild sex! It would have been nice if I would have remembered it too! The last straw for me was when a close family member passed away, I couldn't get rest, so I took one to help. A month later, I found I had an accident I didn't remember! Be careful!"

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2014

For Insomnia "This medication made me feel as though I could not breathe. I was up all night. I took it at 9 p.m. and went straight to bed. I began having the hot flush feeling and felt as if I had pressure on my chest. I have been taking the 10 mg but wake up in 2-3 hours. This was a living nightmare taking the 12.5 CR. If you have any respiratory issues, do not take."

• paw...
• March 13, 2011

For Insomnia "Ambien CR 12.5 is great. I took it for years until AARP Medicare prescription drug plan removed it from their list. I did not experience any known side effects. It is the only medicine for insomnia that has worked for me. Maybe soon the insurance company will realize that and stop causing me to lose sleep."

• Rob...
• September 1, 2014

"My problem isn't getting to sleep... it's STAYING asleep. I have found that after trying Lunesta (nasty, nasty aftertaste for an entire day afterwards... and the hangover!) I much prefer Ambien, but it has to be 'CR' ... and crystal clear the next day. Never had any problem with aftereffects... ever. Problem is... the doctor stopped prescribing sleep aids as too addictive, however, even after reminding him that the last bottle of 50 lasted me about three years... he still wasn't willing. This needs to be over the counter."

• Kri...
• July 7, 2016

For Insomnia "I was given two choices for my insomnia: melatonin or Ambien as a quick fix. Of course, I picked the quick fix and went with Ambien. I took it the first night, and for 20-30 minutes after taking it, I read reviews online. While reading, I noticed my phone screen seemed to move, and I lost focus over and over again. I thought maybe it was because I had been up for over 24 hours from the insomnia prior to getting the prescription, but upon the second time taking it, I realized that if you fight the window of time to fall asleep, you do get quite a high. Hallucinations do occur occasionally. However, I was given a two-week trial of this drug to see how well it worked for me, and as I continue to take it, I notice that I fall asleep quickly but wake up throughout the night."

• Liz...
• March 14, 2015

For Insomnia "I have been on regular Ambien 10 mg since 2007. I have major insomnia and have tried alternatives and even quit drinking caffeine and limit sugar to no avail. I talked to my doctor yesterday and decided to try the CR because I just couldn't stay asleep. After 3-4 hours, I was wide awake. Well, last night I had the most vivid dreams and I am still groggy this morning. It definitely helped me fall back asleep. (I pee a lot, lol.) I am glad I waited until the weekend to see how it would affect me. I took it at 8:30 p.m. and it's almost 9 a.m. and I feel slightly hungover. I'm going to try it again tonight, but sleeping through the night might not be worth it. I can't believe some reviews say it's not effective because it immediately made me sleepy!"