Function

• Ambien comes in two forms--the original Ambien, which helps you fall asleep, and Ambien CR that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep for up to seven hours.
  
  

Cautions

• According to the Ambien website, it is very important to use the medication only as directed by your doctor.
  
  

Side Effects

• The most common side effects of Ambien are headache, drowsiness, sleepiness during the day, and dizziness.
  
  

Unusual Side Effects

• Zolpidem is the active ingredient used in Ambien to promote sleep. The Mayo Clinic states that zolpidem can cause a person to act as if they were drunk, has confusion, depression, hallucinations, unusual excitement, suicidal thoughts, and irritability.
  
  

Sleep Driving

• According to the Mayo Clinic and the Ambien website, zolpidem may cause sleepwalking-type activities in which the person taking the medication has no memory of the activity after waking. CBS News Online reportsthat there have been 53 cases where people have been caught driving while sleeping. All 53 people were found to have Ambien in their blood stream.
  
  

Sleep Activities

• The Mayo Clinic cautions that if you find that you have made phone calls, driven your car, prepared and eaten food or had sex while you were asleep or not fully awake while taking Ambien, call your doctor.