Ambien and Binge Eating: What Users Say

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2020

For Insomnia "I have been taking 10mg for about 1 1/2 years. Someone else mentioned getting the 'munchies' after taking it. I thought it was just me! Anyway, it's not helping me fall asleep like it used to. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I either need a stronger dose or a different drug."

• Bon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2019

For Insomnia "This drug Ambien works great. I have used it on and off for at least 15 years. The drug works fast, the onset is 10 minutes (for me), dosage does not seem to build tolerance (for me). The only downside is I get the munchies from zolpidem, which is problematic at bedtime. Generics seem to be similar potency as the original."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2012

For Insomnia "My bipolar disorder triggered severe insomnia, and so my doctor gave me Ambien. It worked wonders. The first few nights taking it, I saw double/blurry and then just knocked out, got AMAZING rest, woke up refreshed. Over time, I had some sleepwalking/talking/eating episodes. One time, I woke up and ate a batch of cookies, and another time, I made some midnight hot dogs. I would wake up feeling unusually bloated, haha, that's why. One time, I took the Ambien and decided to take a quick 5-minute hot shower afterward, well, my husband told me he caught me talking to the shampoo bottles. So weird! Listen to the directions, take once you are lying in bed, unlike me. You won't remember a thing. Once I swallow the pill, I don't remember anything after that."

• Den...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 16, 2015

For Insomnia "Oh my gosh! Started taking this for shift work 6 years ago, and now it's the only way I can sleep-only I don't anymore! I went through the hallucinations, the binge eating, the 'oh my God, I bought what on eBay last night?' to waking up in some unusual places not knowing how I got there. It takes you through the coaster ride, but the thrill is gone. Fitful nights, not more than 3 solid hours anymore. I'm trying Belsomra tomorrow night. Side effects sound scary, but so did Ambien when I first heard about it. Not a cure-all, and it's only worth praising the first year or two. Sucks when your sleep never comes...."

• Ham...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 28, 2018

For Insomnia "Prescribed for over 10 years. Had to cut dosage in half due to recall difficulties. Binge eating is an understatement. Works well for chronic insomnia even with moderate caffeine intake. Need to take a rest position almost immediately after nightly dosage or medicine benefits pass unnoticed."

• sli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2018

For Insomnia "Only medication that allows me to get about 7 hours of deep sleep. No sleepwalking, sleep eating, or dreams. Just solid sleep. After a while, it doesn't keep me asleep the entire time, so I cut back for a while. I've taken every benzo, and besides Xanax, this works the best."

• gym...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 3, 2015

For Insomnia "I've been on this medication from 1998 to 2015. I've been on it and off it, but I will warn people with diagnosed depression or PTSD not to take it too long. I've gone from stripping my clothes off and thinking I was going to bed. Munchies galore. Ate a whole cake without blinking. Bad idea since my cholesterol is sky high, the list goes on. I asked several doctors if overeating was a side effect. I was led to believe it was only me. Burned half my arm cooking and only said, 'Ouch, I burned my arm.' Went to bed and had to get treated for the burn. It left a scar. Every time I take it, my depression escalates, even with antidepressants. I seriously saw dead people and spoke to them. Relayed exactly what they wore and said to my kids. Bad reactions."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 13, 2015

For Insomnia "My parents have taken this drug for over 20 years since I was a child. They did some weird things and got in 2 bad car accidents over it. You do have bad memory loss with it, and it is life-changing with relationships with other people. I wrote this review, though, to let people know that it is EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE AND HABIT FORMING. I took 10 mg one night after surgery to sleep and then wasn't able to sleep at all for 2 days (withdrawal), everyone I've asked has said the same thing. It does give you the munchies to the extreme, I don't know why. If you plan on taking this medication, know what you're getting into and try something else first before starting this. It will be costly in the long run."

• Red...
• May 31, 2011

For Insomnia "I have been taking Ambien for about 3 years now, off and on. I can't sleep at night, and most nights when I do take Ambien, I lay awake. When I take the Ambien, it takes sometimes 35 minutes to an hour before I feel anything. I recently discovered I have been sleep eating. I was dreaming I was eating cinnamon buns, and when I woke up, I found the box of cinnamon buns was all gone. Plus, I have found I have been posting stuff on Facebook, and I don't remember doing it. Even though I have found out I have been doing these things, but I can't sleep, so to me, it's worth taking. Glad to know I don't sleep eat every night."

• Ros...
• October 14, 2010

For Insomnia "I started taking Ambien for insomnia about a month ago. It works great if I am able to take it early enough to get in 8 hours of sleep. However, I also take Wellbutrin, and apparently they do not work well together. I have been sleep eating, sundaes, brownies, yogurt, sandwiches. I also cook and leave the mess behind and don't remember any of it. I colored my hair with two colors and gave myself the worst haircut I've ever had in my life and was totally shocked the next morning when I saw the bright pink color in my hair and awful short bangs and uneven length. I had a conversation with my daughter and gave her permission to spend the night out, which I would not have done in my right mind, and she made me write it down for proof."