What side effects should I expect from taking Ambien (zolpidem tartrate)?

Signs of Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) allergy: Ambien can cause serious allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, hives (rash on your body), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat—If you experience any of these symptoms, please call 911 or seek emergency medical help at the nearest emergency room (ER). 

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following signs:
Ambien can worsen mental illness. Tell your doctor if your depression/anxiety gets worse and if you have increased suicidal thoughts and ideations. Also, call your doctor immediately if you experience confusion, aggression, agitation, hallucinations, or unusual memory problems. Tell your doctor about any changes in personality, risk-taking behaviors, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm. 

Ambien’s adverse effects may be more prominent in older adults as their livers do not work as well as they used to. Elderly patients who are 65 years and older may experience more severe drowsiness and breathing problems. As a result, falls and injuries may happen.

Stop taking Ambien and call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain, heart palpitations
• Irregular heartbeat 
• Feeling like you may faint

Common side effects of Ambien (zolpidem):

• Dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness
• Poor coordination, tiredness
• Stuffy nose, dry mouth
• Headache 
• Nausea, vomiting
• Constipation, diarrhea
• Muscle aches or cramps

Ambien Overdose: Go to the nearest emergency room or call the Poison Control Center Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. You can find more information at www.poisonhelp.org/help.

Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) overdose symptoms: difficulty breathing/slowed breathing, slowed heartbeat, severe drowsiness, and coma. 

The above list on this site may not include all the possible side effects of Ambien (zolpidem). Speak to your doctor or pharmacist at your local pharmacy if you have persistent side effects or any side effects that are not listed above. You can also report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Source: FDA