Ambien Side Effects

Generic name: zolpidem

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 17, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Ambien Side Effects associated with zolpidem. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Ambien.

Applies to zolpidem: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• tablet

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule; tablet; tablet, extended release; spray)

Warning: Complex Sleep Behaviors. Complex sleep behaviors including sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake may occur following use of zolpidem tartrate.

Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death.

Discontinue zolpidem tartrate immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior.

Common side effects of Ambien

Some side effects of zolpidem may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• drowsiness
• headache
• muscle aches
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stuffy or runny nose

Less common side effects

• back pain
• being forgetful
• belching
• body aches or pain
• congestion
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• difficulty with moving
• double vision
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• heartburn
• hoarseness
• indigestion
• longer or heavier menstrual periods
• loss of memory
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• seeing double
• sensation of spinning
• stomach discomfort
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• voice changes

Rare side effects

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• blemishes on the skin
• blindness
• blurred vision
• breast pain
• change in near or distance vision
• change in taste
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty in focusing the eyes
• eye pain
• feeling of warmth
• frequent urge to defecate
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased appetite
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased sweating
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• lack or loss of strength
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• pain during sexual intercourse
• paleness of the skin
• pimples
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• severe sunburn
• slurred speech
• stomach upset
• straining while passing stool
• tearing
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• weight loss

Serious side effects of Ambien

Along with its needed effects, zolpidem (the active ingredient contained in Ambien) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zolpidem:

Less common side effects

• chest pain
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• discouragement
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• feeling sad or empty
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lightheadedness
• loss of interest or pleasure
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• attack, assault, or force
• black, tarry stools
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• change in walking and balance
• chest tightness
• chills
• cold sweats
• cough
• crying
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fainting
• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• feeling of unreality
• fever
• frequent urge to urinate
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• irregular heartbeat
• irritability
• lack of feeling or emotion
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• pale skin
• poor insight and judgment
• problems with memory or speech
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapidly changing moods
• restlessness
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sense of detachment from self or body
• severe sleepiness
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain
• swollen glands
• thoughts of killing oneself or changes in behavior
• trouble recognizing objects
• trouble thinking and planning
• trouble walking
• trouble breathing
• uncaring
• unease or dissatisfaction with life
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking zolpidem:

Symptoms of overdose

• change or loss of consciousness
• difficult or trouble breathing
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to zolpidem: oral capsule, oral spray, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, sublingual tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included dizziness, headache, and somnolence.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 23.5%), headache (up to 19%), somnolence (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Amnesia, amnestic effects, anterograde amnesia, ataxia, attention disturbance, balance disorder, burning sensation, cognitive disorders, daytime drowsiness, drowsiness, drugged feelings, hypoesthesia, involuntary muscle contractions, lethargy, lightheadedness, memory disorders, memory impairment, paresthesia, postural dizziness, tremor, vertigo
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cerebrovascular disorder, decreased cognition, difficulty concentrating, dysarthria, migraine, sleeping (with daytime dosing), speech disorder, stupor, syncope, taste perversion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal gait, dementia, depressed level of consciousness, gait disturbance, hypokinesia, hypotonia, neuralgia, neuritis, neuropathy, paresis, parosmia, restless legs, sciatica
• Frequency not reported: Central nervous system (CNS)-depressant effects, impaired concentration, next-day impairment, next day somnolence
• Postmarketing reports: Dysgeusia, memory disturbances, reduced alertness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, apathy, binge eating, confusion, depersonalization, depressed mood, depression, disinhibition, disorientation, euphoria, euphoric mood, exacerbated insomnia, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, insomnia, major depression, mood swings, nervousness, nightmare, psychomotor retardation, restlessness, sleep disorder, stress symptoms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aggression, confusional state, detached, emotional lability, hypnagogic hallucinations, illusion, irritability, somnambulism, visual hallucinations
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal thinking, aggressive reaction, attempted suicide, decreased libido, delusion, hysteria, libido disorder, manic reaction, neurosis, panic attacks, personality disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Dependence, withdrawal effects/symptoms
• Frequency not reported: Abnormal behavior, abnormal thinking, aggravated depression, anger, behavior changes, complex behaviors, continuing depression, hallucinations not otherwise specified (NOS), psychosis
• Postmarketing reports: Aggravated insomnia, other adverse behavioral effects, perceptual disturbances, rages^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, abdominal tenderness, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastroenteritis, frequent bowel movements, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Altered saliva, enteritis, eructation, esophagospasm, gastritis, hemorrhoids, increased saliva, tenesmus, intestinal obstruction, rectal hemorrhage, tooth caries^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, chest discomfort, contusion, exposure to poisonous plant, fatigue, increased body temperature, labyrinthitis, neck injury, otitis externa, pyrexia, tinnitus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fall/falling, fever, malaise, trauma
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Feeling strange, face edema, increased tolerance, intoxicated feeling, otitis media, pain, rigors
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Rebound effect
• Frequency not reported: Drug tolerance
• Postmarketing reports: Drunk feeling^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Hiccup, lower respiratory infection, lower respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, throat irritation, upper respiratory infection, upper respiratory tract infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchitis, coughing, dyspnea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bronchospasm, epistaxis, hypoxia, laryngitis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, respiratory depression, yawning
• Postmarketing reports: Cough, dry throat^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision, altered visual depth perception, asthenopia, blurred vision, diplopia, eye redness, visual disturbance
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye irritation, eye pain, scleritis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal accommodation, abnormal lacrimation, conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration, glaucoma, periorbital edema, photopsia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Visual impairment^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, muscle cramp, myalgia, neck pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthritis, leg cramps, muscle spasms, muscle/muscular weakness
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Arthrosis, tendinitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, menorrhagia, urinary tract infection, vulvovaginal dryness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cystitis, menstrual disorder, urinary incontinence, vaginitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Breast pain, impotence, micturition frequency, nocturia, polyuria, urinary retention
• Postmarketing reports: Dysmenorrhea^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, skin wrinkling, urticaria
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperhidrosis, increased sweating, pruritus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acne, bullous eruption, dermatitis, furunculosis, photosensitivity reaction, purpura
• Frequency not reported: Angioneurotic edema
• Postmarketing reports: Contact dermatitis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Infection, influenza, influenza-like symptoms
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abscess, herpes simplex, herpes zoster^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood pressure, palpitations
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, edema, hypertension, pallor, postural hypotension, tachycardia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Aggravated hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, arteritis, circulatory failure, extrasystoles, flushing, hot flashes, hypotension, myocardial infarction, phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins, ventricular tachycardia
• Postmarketing reports: Increased heart rate^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, appetite disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperglycemia, thirst
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Decreased weight, gout, hypercholesteremia, hyperlipidemia, increased appetite, tetany^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergy
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Aggravated allergy, allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock
• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, anaphylaxis, serious anaphylactic reactions, serious anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal hepatic function, elevated liver enzymes, increased ALT
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bilirubinemia, cholestatic liver injury, hepatocellular liver injury, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased AST, mixed liver injury
• Postmarketing reports: Acute hepatocellular, cholestatic, or mixed liver injury with or without jaundice^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anemia, hyperhemoglobinemia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), leukopenia, lymphadenopathy, macrocytic anemia^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute renal failure, renal pain^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Breast fibroadenosis, breast neoplasm^[Ref]

Local

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Injection-site inflammation
• Frequency not reported: Transient paresthesia of the tongue, transient sublingual erythema^[Ref]

Tongue paresthesia and sublingual erythema occurred in patients given sublingual tablet formulations.^[Ref]

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Further information

Ambien side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer