Zolpidem and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I am a hard-working healthcare nightshift worker, mother with 2 young kids. I have had to flip-flop between days and nights for 8 years now to work and take care of kids. I have taken traditional Ambien 10 mg for a long time. I need something that works fast but wears off fast because my time window to sleep is not that long. Well, I tried Ambien CR last night and will not be trying again. I thought it worked the same, just helped me stay asleep maybe a little longer, nope! It hits you little by little, just enough to make you a tad loopy but not enough to totally knock you out, and that effect lasts longer. It is dangerous because I had to even mix my regular one to even be able to fall asleep. I know my limits with the regular Ambien. Be very careful with Ambien CR."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2019

Zolpidem for Insomnia "This Ambien doesn’t work for me at all. I took 1 pill (10 mg) on an empty stomach and waited an hour, and nothing happened at all. So then I took another pill (10 mg), and still could not sleep. Only thing that happened was I felt a little foggy."

• zol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 1, 2023

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I consider this medication to be dangerous, especially for individuals who live alone. It's important to take the medication while in bed. Fortunately, I didn't leave my house because, to others, I appeared wide awake when I was actually asleep. I've had conversations and done things without remembering them. It's important to have someone with you until you're fully aware of your behavior. I often woke up in the middle of the night, which was the most dangerous time for me. I had a few bad falls and stumbled as if I were drunk. The next day, I experienced a drug hangover or fog. I even had two-hour phone conversations that I didn't remember having. While asleep, I even told my parent that I was attacked while sitting on the side of the bed. It's crucial to be extremely cautious while taking this medication and to ensure that someone is aware of when you're taking it. You could easily put yourself in a dangerous situation because you appear wide awake, and others won't know that you need help to avoid any harm."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

For Insomnia "Zolpidem is heaven sent. I’ve tried every natural remedy I can think of, including meditation, exercise, boiled banana tea, sleepy teas, healthy eating, a regular sleeping schedule, temperature noise control, CBT, muscle relaxation, zinc, melatonin, CBD oil/tincture, valerian root tincture and tea, stretching, positive thoughts, no TV right before bed, bed only used for sleep, and other ridiculous things, and nothing worked. Just couldn’t get to sleep and stay asleep. Would fall asleep around 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. and wake up a few times in between and felt horrible with many days of not sleeping at all. It affected my health by making me foggy, gaining weight, irritable, forgetful, lack of concentration, and exhausted all day. Now, thank goodness for Zolpidem because I am able to take it and fall asleep within 30-50 minutes and stay asleep until 7 a.m., refreshed and full of energy for the day. Very appreciative of this medication."

• Gov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2015

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I have been taking Ambien for a month and a half. It does eventually help me to fall asleep, but it comes with a couple of side effects. One of those side effects is I get very loopy and weird. Also, I do not remember anything when I wake up from the time after I take Ambien. I probably will not remember writing this review."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2012

Zolpidem 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!"

• Fun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2012

Zolpidem for Insomnia "This has been very beneficial. I have great trouble falling asleep before 3 AM, despite getting up early. It puts me to sleep, it's the best. I wake up fresh in the morning, with no residual effects. If I stay awake, I don't hallucinate or do anything weird (as per my husband), however, if I'm lying in bed watching a movie or having a conversation, I'm unlikely to remember much the next day. I don't get depressed or emotional on it either, and I'm not a zombie."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2021

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I had been having leg pains at night and was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep in 30-minute stretches for 2 months. I thought I was going crazy from the sleep deprivation. I was having brain fog, confusion, depression, and couldn’t work. I begged my doctors for something to help me sleep at night. The first new night and every other night since, I fell asleep within 30 minutes and slept for 8-9 hours. I’m back to work with better focus and concentration since I’m getting a good night's sleep! This medication saved my life."

• Sum...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2023

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I was on Ambien for over 3 years. Honestly, I'm not sure why I stayed on it for so long, probably because I was afraid to withdraw from it. The side effects I experienced were waking up in the middle of the night and doing things without any memory in the morning, for instance, eating, cooking, shopping online, and waking people up in my house in the middle of the night to have bizarre conversations. My family finally convinced me to get off Ambien, and I slowly tapered myself off. I still have some sleepless nights, but it's slowly getting better. My advice for anyone starting Ambien is to make sure you are in bed before taking your pill because if you're up when it kicks in, you can become very disoriented and loopy."

• ami...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2018

For Insomnia "My experience with Ambien started in 2008. I was going through some rough times in my life. I was depressed and could not sleep well. My doc prescribed me Ambien 5 mg 'for a couple of months.' A few years later, the dose was increased to 10 and then to 20 mg. I was taking it for 10 years with a few short breaks here and there. Now I'm finally on my route to get it out of my system. January-July, I was taking only 5 mg a night. The withdrawal is REAL. I have all the symptoms possible. I could not function too well, so I took 2 weeks off from work. I wake up after 4-5 hrs of sleep and am unable to fall back asleep. I have flu-like symptoms. I lose balance. I cannot think straight as my brain is foggy. But I'm staying strong. I'm 5 days Ambien free. Please take it only if it is your last resort and NEVER let it control you."

• Alt...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 9, 2021

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I have been taking generic Ambien for 12 years and hope I never have to be without it. Sleep studies revealed that due to pain at night, I get no restorative deep sleep, so with something for pain along with the zolpidem, I get the sleep that I need. I tried going without it for 3 months and went back to the way I was before... brain fog and fatigue during the day. During those 3 months, I had no trouble going or staying asleep, but I was insecure driving because I was too foggy and inattentive."

• Ins...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2022

For Insomnia "Ambien, in its various forms, is a great medication for insomnia. Seroquel keeps me asleep, but too much makes me feel like an absolute zombie, like I don't care if I live or die. Unfortunately, I can't take it anymore because I guess people love to abuse any substance out there, including Ambien. It's the only thing that helps me go to sleep. But no, four doctors in, and it's like I'm out trying to score smack. I have Klonopin for anxiety, which helps a ton. But here is the thing, it dampens the anxiety, so in turn I can be more present and productive, but Ambien (even though both are GABA-A agonists) helps me fall asleep. But no, no. I'm more likely to be told to think happy, sleepy thoughts to go to sleep than to take a PRN dose of Ambien. I have been on it before with no problems, but now I guess because people abuse anything, people who need the medicine are screwed. It is a wonderful medication, though."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2010

Zolpidem "I came here to post my experience over the years with Ambien and Ambien CR. They were bad for me. I had issues with memory, especially with my family having to remind me of what I said and did, even the morning after, really groggy, cloudy, fuzzy. Not good for raising kids. I was helped by sweetlemon on this website in her post here: I asked my doctor about Silenor, and she gave me 3 milligram tablets. She had no samples, but I figured I had already spent a fortune on Ambien, so why not. Got 7 hours of sleep without a problem. I haven't felt this good in a very, very long time. Thank you all on this website. I can sleep now!"

• Vic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2023

For Insomnia "I have chronic insomnia. I had tried trazodone for a while, and I didn't like how it sometimes would make me oversleep or wake up in a state of confusion with a foggy brain. With zolpidem, I can get up with a clear mind and be ready to start my day. I've also noticed an improvement in my mood and general anxiety. I've been controlling my cravings better during the day, not sure if this has anything to do with it. I feel relieved."

• Sbr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2016

For Insomnia "This brand takes longer to work, and way longer to wear off. I have used this brand for 4 months with no choice really. This brand made me feel like I was coming off of anesthesia the next day. I felt foggy and depressed. Never feeling refreshed. I think the brand is dangerous and should be investigated. Currently, I'm back on Northstar, with my initial preference being (for generic) TEVA. Otherwise, the brand itself, 'Ambien,' is a much more gentle medication, being my number one preference. You should know the quality standards of a generic medication, the FDA requires the bioequivalence of a generic drug to be between 80% and 125% of the innovator product. That, as well as the encapsulation of the medication, can make all the difference! Per FDA."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2017

Zolpidem for Insomnia "Ambien or 'Zolpidem' was terrible. I started hallucinating. Now, I do drink caffeine in the morning, but it should not have this koo-koo effect. My ceiling turned into peaceful, lit-up jellyfish tentacles, and my pillow turned into a moving/billowing cloud of a worm. Pretty crazy, but that is what I saw when I took this crap. I was dazed... it didn't initially help me fall asleep. Perhaps I'm allergic to Ambien, I have no idea. I believe I took it with 5 or 10 mg of melatonin. Whew... that was a cocktail to go nuts. Stick with temazepam (Restoril)... way better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2021

For Insomnia "Was prescribed this after a bout of bad insomnia back in early Sept. 2021 after the loss of a loved one. The first few nights it seemed to work, but not too well. Then, after the 7th night, I woke up standing beside my bed from a dream. The 9th and final night I took a pill. The next day I was incredibly brain fogged, new depression, and feeling very unusual. The brain fog went away after a couple days. But I noticed memory problems, and depression still persists to this day, Nov. 1st. Before I took these, I took trazodone for sleep for 5 nights, and hydroxyzine for 16 nights. The insomnia has since gone away, but memory problems and depression are persistent. I think it's very dangerous, and if I were warned about the potential side effects, I would've never taken them."

• jin...
• August 3, 2013

For Insomnia "Been using zolpidem several years now, 1/2 of a 10 mg tablet when required. Stayed at that dose for a couple of years, until began waking up after 4-5 hours. Began taking just a small pinch more to get back to sleep. Recently I found myself taking 2/3 of a pill at bedtime, and though I've never had any bizarre behavior on it, I have been noting memory and mood changes as I've aged past 70, which I was attributing to normal aging and/or my thyroid disorder. However, after carelessly downing an entire 10 mg pill last night, I woke this morning feeling very groggy, foggy-headed, and my vision was blurry. Sweet dreams."

• REC...
• January 30, 2016

For Insomnia "I have been on Zolpidem 10 mg for about 5 years now. Works great for me. I have no side effects. Actually, it makes me feel loopy, so I get a great night's sleep! Helps with my anxiety also."

• KEV...
• December 1, 2009

Zolpidem for Insomnia "I get 10 mg (not CR). They work good most of the time. I sleep 6 hrs. with no side effects! Unless I take 2, then I am fuzzy until I take a hot shower."