Zolpidem for Insomnia User Reviews (Page 4)
Brand names: Ambien, Zolpimist, Ambien CR, Edluar
Zolpidem has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 969 reviews for the treatment of Insomnia. 60% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 23% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Zolpidem
- dondo
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- May 16, 2017
Ambien (zolpidem) "I'm a 68 year-old male and I've taken this drug for almost 10 years and it has helped me enormously. I have had no side effects yet my doctor now says he wants me to get off it. I asked why and he said Ambien is dangerous. After 10 years now it's dangerous? I now am cutting down to 1/4 of 5mg and it is not working. I asked what options do I have and he said "natural sleep is best" Thanks, doctor."
- Fetus
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 25, 2019
Ambien (zolpidem) "Never Worked For Me ... Took up to 30mg on an empty stomach .. did nothing I even went to another pharmacy to try a different brand to see if that made any kind of difference. Never even yawned strange as this works very well for many people. Lunesta and Temazepam both worked great for me though"
Frequently asked questions
- Quviviq vs. Ambien: How do they compare?
- Why am I unable to sleep after taking Ambien?
- Ambien: What are 11 Things You Need to Know?
- Is Ambien safe for long-term use?
- Going...
- March 24, 2013
Ambien CR (zolpidem) "Been taking this for years. The only thing that has worked for me. I can stay up all night without it. I have learned you have to go to bed hungry, that way it has nothing to compete with in your stomach. No side effects the next morning. Get about 4 to 5 hours now, which is good for me. Now if my insurance would pay for this! Just got new insurance this year, and they consider this a tier 4 medication. Don't know which is worse. Going broke or not getting any sleep."
- John...
- May 19, 2015
Ambien (zolpidem) "I love this stuff! It's improved my quality of life immensely. I used to wake up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. I now take 5 mg at bedtime, and I still wake up after about 4 hours, but then take another 5 mg (I cut the pill in half) and fall right back asleep for another 3 to 4 hours. I've been taking it for 2 years now, and still works as good today as the first day I took it!!"
Are you taking this medicine?
- Misty...
- January 10, 2014
Ambien (zolpidem) "I've been taking Ambien for about 8 years now due to chronic insomnia. Multiple medical issues have caused most of the problem with not sleeping. I already have 3 fusions in my neck (one of which is falling apart and causing a compressed spinal cord that my NS is trying to avoid further surgery on so that I don't have to have rods in addition to the screws and plates that are already in there) plus I have laminectomy from L2 to S1 with bulging discs, fibromyalgia, bone on bone arthritis in both knees and I also need both hips replaced. Oh, there are also a couple of bulging discs and bone spurs in my cervical spine in addition to the problems already mentioned. I have never had any side effects or trouble with the Ambien at all."
- Dano
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- November 1, 2018
Ambien (zolpidem) "I suffer from high-anxiety and insomnia. I have tried many sleep-aids, both OTC and by prescription. Nothing has helped. Ambien is the only sleep-aid that helps calm me down so that I may sleep soundly. It works very fast. I have been prescribed the 5mg and 10mg. The 10mg I usually break in half. The prescription is only for 14 days. Belsomra and Trazodone did nothing to help me. Ambien has been a life saver."
More FAQ
- Is Ambien a benzo?
- Is Ambien addictive?
- Is “Ambien-Tweeting” or "Sleep-Tweeting" a Thing?
- What is this pill? Tannish peach color, elliptical, marked 10 MG and 5 dots in a small box?
- Not...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- January 17, 2020
"With zolpidem watch out for different manufacturers. Stick to Sanofi or Actavis and do not use Sun brand. I could not believe that the Sun Ambien was not just a placebo pill and I highly recommend someone calling for it to be analyzed, as I tried it 3 different times and did not help me sleep. The other brands I take, brush my teeth, get in bed and fall asleep immediately. On Sun brand zolpidem, I did the same (3 different night) and got no sleep. I am so happy I did not start taking it with the Sun brand because I would have believed this med was effective. When using the Sanofi or Actavis it cures my insomnia. I imagine there are discrepancies between more manufacturers but these are the only three I have tried."
- ona...
- November 17, 2013
Ambien (zolpidem) "This medicine works to get me to sleep and stay asleep. HOWEVER I quickly become dependent on it and cant get to sleep without it so I can't take it as needed. Also I noticed that I seem to need larger doses rapidly. My insomnia issues are generally manageable if I avoid caffeine and don't eat too close to bedtime."
- Miche...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- June 25, 2019
Ambien (zolpidem) "I’ve had horrible horrible insomnia for years. I’ve always just laid in bed with my mind racing for hours. It took a big toll on me mentally and physically. I’ve been on ambien for over 2 years and it’s a true lifesaver. I take it every night. If I try to go to sleep without it just to test it, I can’t sleep. No side effects with this medicine. I wake up just fine in the mornings."
- sleepy...
- April 3, 2008
Ambien (zolpidem) "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..."
- Bubsie
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 8, 2014
Ambien (zolpidem) "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 order things that I had no use for to 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 what I could do next!"
- Anonymous
- June 23, 2015
Ambien (zolpidem) "Be aware take this medication and immediately lay down !!!!!the first night I took this medication I was up apparently I don't remember !!!!so I was told, serving myself a shot ,eating, requested weird sexual favors,and was having conversations and answering myself,and had no memory of all these fun festivies the next day,lol,thanks ambien,lesson learned my boyfriend had a blast though!!!!!!!"
- Liz
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- August 20, 2013
Ambien (zolpidem) "After a car accident where I suffered a head injury I had horrible insomnia worsened by pre-existing fibromyalgia. Nothing over the counter was working at all to help me sleep. My doctor put me on this. When it works, it's awesome. I cannot have any food on my stomach if I want this to work, though. I don't take it until I've washed my face, brushed my teeth & am actually in bed for the night. That's the trick! I hate that the FDA cut dosage by half for women- the lower dose doesn't work for me because I'm big/tall. Weight makes a difference in this meds case. Not everyone sleep-drives or sleepwalks on this."
- Kevbo
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 9, 2019
Ambien (zolpidem) "Have been having insomnia for about 45 days related to some family stress. Used trazadone with some success. Then it decreased in effectiveness and I was getting maybe 3 hours. Went to Ativan and it worked some days and some days nothing. Back to trazadone hoping for 3-5 hours of sleep. My np suggested ambien. First night last night. I was a little hour nervous. Took it and slept 7 hours 50 minutes without interruption. Night 1 would give it more stars if I could. The question is how long it lasts."
- llcmal
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- October 5, 2013
Ambien (zolpidem) "I have many incurable diseases that are very painful. One of those is called Fibromyalgia. When you have Fibromyalgia, you rarely-if ever go to Stage 4 sleep. Without Ambien, I can be awake for 2-3 days. In pain, exhausted, crying and not able to sleep. I have been on all OTC medications for sleep. I have also tried Ambien CR (which for some reason doesn't work at all for me), Lunesta, Sonata, and chloral hydrate. (For those who don't know Chloral Hydrate is VERY strong). None of those worked. Ambien does!"
- Jkano
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- September 9, 2019
Ambien (zolpidem) "I've been taking Ambien on/off for about 9 years and it almost completely doesn't work for me anymore. Does someone know of something that I can add to it to renew its ability to work for me again? I really liked it when I first started taking it. Really bummed that it's like eating tic tacs now."
- Barb
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 30, 2019
Ambien (zolpidem) "I have taken 2.5 mg. Ambien off and on for 20 years. It has saved me as I have insomnia and cannot sleep more than 3 or 4 hours a night. I take Ambien in the middle of the night and feel rested with no side effects in the morning. I am 81 years old and feel tired if I have only 3 hours sleep. I take Ambien several nights a week so I am not exhausted during the day."
- Chuckie...
- December 9, 2016
Ambien (zolpidem) "I was prescribed Ambien for insomnia. It later became a problem as I continued to build a tolerance for it. I am no longer taking and have been off the medicine this week. Following are reasons that I stopped taking it. I lost my job, got arrested, picked up a felony charge for prescription fraud, among other consequences due to my dependency on the drug. In short, DO NOT TAKE ANY FORM of Z -PILLS. I lost a very good job with the government and can no longer return to the job due to Ambien and Lunesta. I have a master's degree and still cannot find work due to the felony charge. Please take it from me, this drug will progressively ruin your life. It should be taken off of the market."
- davephx
- Taken for 10 years or more
- September 11, 2023
Ambien CR (zolpidem) "I have been on zolpidem ER 12.5 mg for well over 10 years. It is my miracle drug. Am age 76 with no major medical issues. It usually doesn't even make me feel tired or have less concentration. I wait 1 hr and force myself to bed. About as soon as horizontalish I seem to go immediately to sleep. I say "ish" since once was at about a 45-degree slumping pitch on the couch and fell asleep while on the phone with a friend. I have BPH but only have 1 get up to pee at night. I go right back to sleep even though I am beyond the 2.5 hr half-life. When I first started using it, I had slight amnesia on what I did just before going to bed. But that has not occurred for many years. Once while my regular Doc was away had another who "doesn't do for long-term use" I did extensive research and have peer-reviewed medical studies in NIH etc. for 3 and 5-year use showing no negative effects. One study said it improved sleep after longer-term use."
- Dont...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- December 14, 2016
Ambien (zolpidem) "On the business class sleeper seat plane to NY, the last conscious thing I remember after taking Ambien was my head resting on the pillow about an hour after the meal service and then waking up in bed in the apartment. How did I collect my coat and things, aware to pack the airline amenity kit and water bottle into the knapsack that was in the overhead bin, deplane and walk far to passport control, use the passport kiosk that requires me to type in on the touchscreen, Thailand, and collect the customs print out and then go to a carousel and collect my bag among all the other bags revolving around, hand my printout to the customs agent and find where to catch the Newark airport bus in the winter cold. How long did I wait for the bus? Did I open my suitcase inside the terminal to take out my sweater, scarf, and wool knit hat to wear --all which were packed in the suitcase. Upon waking up in the apartment the sweater was on the couch, the scarf on a chair, and the knit hat in my knapsack. Once on the bus I had to have reached in my pocket for my wallet that had my return bus ticket. The ticket wasn't in my wallet in the apartment. Once off the bus at Port Authority, how did I hail a taxi, put the stuff in the trunk and tell him where to go? My credit card statement indicates I swiped the card to pay for the taxi home. Once outside my apartment, I had to reach into my knapsack for my keys attached to a clip and open the door. The keys were found on the coffee table when woke up in bed. My coat and jacket were on the bathroom floor indicating that once inside the apartment I rushed to the bathroom. I obviously opened my suitcase as it was found wide open and a of box anticongestion and a bottle of allergy pills that I remember packing in the suitcase in Bangkok were now found on the kitchen counter. From remembering my head on the airplane pillow to waking up in my bed, everything is a blank, hours blank."
- craft...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- January 21, 2015
Ambien (zolpidem) "It works to put me asleep, too well! I was told by my husband that I was doing stuff I don't remember doing. One time I became sexually aggressive and last night, I didn't recognize my husband and was doing stuff totally off the wall. I will not be taking it again!"
- setht...
- June 16, 2021
"It is important to realize that different generic brands will affect people significantly differently. FDA allows active ingredient to be within certain standard deviations statistically. If the medicine works fine, and the next time you get a pill a different color, means a different generic by a different company. Aurobindo Pharma zolpidem does not have good reviews and does not work for most people and associated with unpleasant side effects. I can only bear witness for myself. The pharmacists are very helpful, and will gladly provide you with feedback from customers which brands work, and which ones that do not. Their loyalty to the customer not who they work for, ethically correct. Do your research for Unedited reviews, which is not the case here. Best, S. Thomas"
- Hondo
- September 30, 2019
Ambien (zolpidem) "I’ve got a ton of stress in my life and it causes severe insomnia. I was up for 63 hours straight at one point and asked my doctor for help. At first Ambien was moderately effective. I’ve only been on it for three months and it does little if anything to help me sleep now. I wake from it after four hours. If I take it and it doesn’t work I hallucinate pretty bad. Inanimate objects start moving."
- Texjoy
- February 9, 2010
Ambien (zolpidem) "Although Ambien did the job to rid me of insomnia, the side effects were too frightening so I had to stop using it. I began sleep walking, sleep cooking--yes, an entire meal at 2 AM-- and I don't remember and finally sleep driving. I was stopped by a state trouper, in my pajamas on I-80 heading west at 11 PM. Don't remember any of it. Never took it again. "
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Insomnia
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- Benzodiazepines: Overview and Use
- What are the dangers of mixing sleeping pills with alcohol?
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- Zolpidem drug information
- Zolpidem (Oromucosal, Sublingual) (Advanced Reading)
- Zolpidem Extended-Release Tablets
- Zolpidem Sublingual Tablets (Edluar)
- Zolpidem Sublingual Tablets (Intermezzo)
Other brands
Ambien, Zolpimist, Ambien CR, Intermezzo, Edluar
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- Zolpidem monograph
- Zolpidem (FDA)
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- Zolpidem Extended Release (FDA)
- Zolpidem Sublingual (FDA)
Other brands
Ambien, Zolpimist, Ambien CR, Intermezzo, Edluar
Ambien (zolpidem) "This Ambien doesn’t work for me at all. I took 1 pill (10mg) on an empty stomach and waited an hour and nothing happened at all. So then I took another pill (10mg) and still could not sleep. Only thing that happened was I felt a little foggy."