Ambien and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

For Insomnia "Took 10mg Ambien to aid sleep and began having strange dreams and sleep adventures that blended together, and I couldn't tell if real or not. I ordered things online, called people at all hours, cooked food, and drove around all night. I somewhat remember driving around with total strangers in my car, including an Asian midget sitting in the back seat with a chicken. I thought it was a dream until I found feathers everywhere and a tiny shoe in the car. Most scary was when I woke up next to a strange woman in my bed. She seemed to be a drug user and was upset that I didn't know her since we had been friends for a month. She cleaned out my wallet and stole my Ambien while I showered. I never took another pill. This was scary to me, and I have no idea where I met these people? I now just take Nyquil when I need sleep."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 4, 2014

For Insomnia "Ambien works. Not because it's a sleep aid but because it's a HYPNOTIC. Which means if you don't want amnesia, then get yourself straight to bed after taking it. It kicks in 5-10 minutes and may or may not keep you asleep all night. But those of you complaining of eating, etc., and having no memory of what you did, it's very simple: taking a HYPNOTIC while you're still up, showering, or whatever is going to make you do stupid things you won't remember. Just take it AFTER you lay down, turn off your phone, and you'll be fine."

• Nes...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 27, 2019

For Insomnia "I've also been on this medication for about 10 years on and off. It can be highly addictive for some. From experience, I started with 5 mg, which worked great! I was finally able to get 7-8 hours of sleep. After 1 year, I noticed it wasn't working (I was only getting 3-4 hours of sleep), so my doctor prescribed me 10 mg. I went back to getting a good night's sleep, but after 2 years it wasn't working again and I went back to getting less sleep. I decided to take 1½ pills (15 mg) but it still wasn't working. I felt very groggy in the morning and couldn't remember certain things, which worried me. I decided to stop completely and experienced really bad withdrawals. I began to have seizures and ended up in the hospital, now I have to take anti-seizure meds. So my suggestion to you is: don't take this medication for a long time, it's only meant for short-term use, and do not take more than prescribed. Now I take a sleep aid that's not a controlled substance. There are other options other than sedatives/hypnotics that work."

• Nut...
• February 27, 2009

For Insomnia "I think I have the story of all stories about Ambien. I used to take it, and I loved it. I woke up refreshed without any strange things happening. Until one night I had taken a few. I took one, and I had built up a tolerance for it, so I took another. Next thing I know, I'm naked out in my backyard and I couldn't remember why. Then I come in the house, and there were cops there. I got upset because A) I was naked and B) I didn't know why they were there. Apparently, I went nuts and started throwing things at my boyfriend, and he didn't know what was wrong with me so he called the police. Then they were cuffing me and I was struggling because I could not remember our fight whatsoever."

• sle...
• April 3, 2008

For Insomnia "I've taken this medication three different nights now and honestly, I haven't slept this deeply in ages! However, from the time I take the medication to the time I get to sleep - I have no memories of this time period the next day. Also, if I am sleeping and someone wakes me up after I've taken the Ambien, I won't remember anything the next day from being awake at the time. Really upsetting to my boyfriend the next day..."

• sle...
• April 3, 2008

For Insomnia "I've taken this medication three different nights now and honestly, I haven't slept this deeply in ages! However, from the time I take the medication to the time I get to sleep - I have no memories of this time period the next day. Also, if I am sleeping and someone wakes me up after I've taken the Ambien, I won't remember anything the next day from being awake at the time. Really upsetting to my boyfriend the next day..."

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2014

For Insomnia "It helped me sleep, but I did the most bizarre things while I should have been sleeping and had no memory of them the next day. I initiated sex with my husband twice and had no memory of doing so, called and ordered things that I had no use for from some shopping networks, and even gave out my credit card numbers to open an account. This stuff scares me, and I quit taking it. Worried about what I could do next!"

• Lou...
• January 13, 2015

For Insomnia "Ditto on rebound sleepless when discontinued. I have done very strange things with no memory, including taking additional Ambien. It has helped me sleep when under extreme stress, but watch out. Now I am trying to learn how to sleep naturally."

• alt...
• January 2, 2008

For Insomnia "I've taken Ambien for years. I can honestly say I can't sleep most nights without it. It really works, but I'm codependent on it now. The generic for it, Zolpidem, in my opinion, doesn't work as well. I have chronic pain and can't sleep at night, this is why it was prescribed in the first place. I have also had amnesia."

• jus...
• June 9, 2008

For Insomnia "I have been taking this drug for a few months now. I had a severe accident at work, so I have severe nerve pain and found that taking Ambien helps me sleep at night. However, it does sometimes-like others have said-make me forget what I did after I took it, but I have lots of energy the next morning."

• Oh ...
• October 20, 2009

For Insomnia "My husband loves that I take Ambien. He's never been happier. The amnesia that accompanies Ambien really works in his favor, if I wake up in the morning and he's smiling, I know I have forgotten something (something really important :) But for me, it's the best night's sleep ever. I do have Ambien amnesia, so I have to be careful. The Ambien CR has a two-hour hole in the middle of the night for me. For two solid hours, I'm wide awake. Zolpidem is the generic form, and I have found I have to take a higher dose than the name brand. Insurance demands generic. I have been taking it for 10 years."

• alo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2016

For Insomnia "I took generic Ambien (not the CR) for just two consecutive nights. While it does work for putting me to sleep and keeping me asleep, I have to say I would not recommend this to people. Just take Benadryl or Advil PM. The reason I say this is because it affected (and days later is still affecting) my memory. I am told by a few friends and co-workers of things I did or said (during the daylight hours, work hours) and I honestly don't remember any of it! So for me... I won't take this again just because it scares me. I'm sharp as a tack, I remember and observe everything, so this really shocked me."

• Ter...
• August 14, 2016

For Insomnia "I've been taking Ambien for many years. The first year, I was prescribed 10 mg nightly. I had experienced a 'deep sleep' and through the entire night. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel exhausted the next day. Then my dosage was changed to 5 mg, which was tough! My tolerance to the higher dose made it not work. My doctor gave me something different to substitute while my body adjusted. It's not been 2 years that I've been taking the 5 mg. I also take Adderall XR at 20 mg daily and 20 mg of Prozac. During the last 6 months, I've had difficulty with memory. Being able to recall things I read, appointment times, things people had said to me. I am 52 years old, and I understand that comes with age. But has anyone had similar problems?"

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2018

For Insomnia "While Ambien does put me to sleep, I have found it isn't consistent, and it varies night to night how long it keeps me asleep. 10 mg can give me almost 7 hours, which is fantastic, but some nights I only sleep for 3 and a half on the same dose, which can be a bit disappointing when you roll over to check the time. Also, there are some notable side effects, such as amnesia before bedtime, next-day depression, and anxiety. And when you come off this drug, your own sleep seems worse than before you went on Ambien and is accompanied by nightmares. Of course, we are all different, but those are my experiences with this drug."

• Sou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2017

For Insomnia "I began taking Ambien while hospitalized for a high-risk pregnancy. The meds I was on to stop contractions made me jittery and restless. When offered a sleeping med, I jumped for joy. This was before the side effects were known. Now, 17 years later, I have been through 8 detoxes, followed by 7 rehab stays. Now clean for over 3 years from Ambien addiction that almost cost me my life, I want to warn anyone away from this drug. At the worst of my addiction, I was taking 60 Ambien, 30 Halcyon, 30 Oxypam for panic attacks, and 90 Ativan for withdrawal seizures. I have blank spots in my memory that sometimes span weeks. I continued to use Ambien after the birth of my child to be on a “normal” schedule for her. Worst mistake of my life."

• For...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2016

For Insomnia "Ambien was the only sleeping pill that worked for me. I was on 10 mg and went to the Ambien CR on 12.5 mg and back to 10 mg. Taking it on an empty stomach made me binge, forgetful, and do questionable/irresponsible things I wouldn't normally do. It also sometimes made me drowsy in the morning. It works quickly, unlike certain sleeping meds that you have to take 3 hours with food before bed. I had withdrawals on Ambien as well. A lot of negatives for me, but I still liked it best."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 7, 2015

For Insomnia "I have been taking Ambien or zolpidem for almost 15 years. I had horrible insomnia where I couldn't sleep sometimes at all during the night. The insomnia went on for about 2 years before I tried Ambien. It worked immediately. I don't take it every night, and when I do, I break off a third of the pill. The only side effect is sometimes grogginess in the morning. I worry about a little memory loss. I was told it disrupts your REM sleep, which can affect memory. Trying to get off completely, but don't want to go through that horrible insomnia again."

• Kno...
• April 14, 2016

For Insomnia "I took Ambien a while back for insomnia. Within 20 minutes, I was out. Woke up refreshed after 6 - 8 hours. Caution: for me, it was addicting, and I could not sleep without it. Also for me, I would not remember activities I may or may not have done the night before. Unplug your phone, you may regret who you call and the conversation you had. I cannot take Ambien for those reasons, but it did work for getting to sleep!"

• Sle...
• August 5, 2018

For Insomnia "I suffer from anxiety, and Ambien does give me at least 5 hours of sleep. Without it, I wake up at least 4 times a night to use the restroom, which I'm surprised I don't wet the bed! I have not had any significant side effects. Sometimes I'll forget to do something and fight off the Ambien, and I start thinking of weird, trippy thoughts, and that's when I realize it's the Ambien and hit the hay. There have been 2 nights in the last 4 months that I woke up shivering and sweaty, but getting some sleep is better than risking the cold sweats. I recently tried sleeping without Ambien....and was awake for 48 hours. I would not say I have grown an addiction to it, but without it, I fear that I will never sleep. I do not have an addictive personality at all. I do notice I am hungry all day. Haven't gained any weight though, so that could be nothing. If I drink or eat before Ambien (I rarely drink), I feel it is less effective. There is risk with every medicine. If you need sleep, it is worth a shot."

• nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2013

For Insomnia "My doctor took me off Trazodone due to sexual problems. I started taking Ambien about 2 days ago. The first day, I was a zombie and had major amnesia problems. My son videotaped how crazy I was acting. I didn't know you had to lie down and take it. I took it the next night while in bed and was wired. Only got 30 minutes of sleep before work. I am ADHD, so that may have had something to do with it. I will give it a couple more nights before I give up on it."

• Kop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2022

For Insomnia "Used it on and off since around 2007. Was using 10 mg in 2007 and now 5 mg in 2022, and it works better. I've been using it for over 2 months now and take it around 9-10 pm and fall asleep, I think within 1 hour or so, very calmly. The first few times with it, I experienced loss of short-term memory that made it addictive somehow because I wanted to forget some stuff. It works great for me and experienced mild side effects that aren't bothersome. I'll continue taking it for as long as I need because my psychiatrist is the one who prescribes it."

• Wau...
• December 15, 2011

For Insomnia "This medicine is very effective for short-term use. My experience is mostly good, however, I do find that it does not work well when I have eaten recently. You must take it on an empty stomach, I believe the Drug Facts say 1 hour without food before taking it. When you take it with food, it sometimes does not absorb or takes longer to absorb. Also, tolerance for me with this medicine goes up quickly, so I try to only take it a couple of times a week. I have not experienced any addiction symptoms by doing this. Side note: A lot of people who take it and report driving significant memory lapses are not taking it as directed. You only take ONE (1) before bedtime and then you go to bed. DON'T take it and go grocery shopping!"

• jmc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2018

For Insomnia "I've used this med for years with no apparent problem. WRONG. As I began asking family and friends, I find I have been doing MANY dangerous activities with absolutely NO recollection. This medication is absolutely frightening. I had no idea there was even a problem. Use at the risk of yourself and those around you. I now have a criminal record and am just glad no one got physically hurt."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2018

For Insomnia "Ambien did not make me groggy during the day and did make me fall asleep, but I was forgetful during the day and fell out of bed and bruised my arm badly. I still think it is a good medication for severe insomnia. Not good to take long term for me."

• Chu...
• March 31, 2016

For Insomnia "I've been taking Ambien for over 6 years. It helps me sleep, and I can sleep 6 hours and felt like I slept 10 hours. Only bad thing is once I commit to taking Ambien, I can't be bothered 'cause I won't remember, so I usually lock myself down, but it is a very helpful drug."