What Side Effects Can I Expect From Ambien CR?

Ambien CR, as great as it may be in helping you overcome sleeping difficulties, should be taken with some caution – it’s not a light medication and can lead to some potential complications if you’re not careful using it. There are some common side effects associated with the drug, as well as ones that are induced by external factors, such as taking alcohol or other drugs – and the important thing in all cases is to be prepared for those side effects, and know what to expect.

Basics – carryover effects, etc

The most common side effect reported by Ambien CR users is the so-called “carryover effect” which is most often experienced in the beginning of the treatment, when your body hasn’t adjusted to the drug properly yet. The effect is characterized by feeling dizzy and a bit sleepy the day after using Ambien CR, especially in the morning right after waking up.

While this effect should normally not be experienced – Ambien CR is actually renowned for being one of the few sleep-inducing medications that do not have it – some users still report it from time to time, so if you haven’t used Ambien CR before, you should approach it with some caution – follow your dosage prescription exactly to the point the first few nights, and don’t engage in any potentially dangerous activities the next day.

Such activities include driving vehicles, operating heavy machinery, as well as anything else that requires your concentration at all times.

Self-induced side effects

There are some side effects which don’t come from the drug itself, but rather from combining it with other agents. The most common of these agents is alcohol, which has been known to react very severely with Ambien CR, producing side effects such as extreme dizziness and nausea, complete inability to concentrate, and even blackouts. Ambien CR basically exaggerates the alcohol’s effects.

Make sure that you do not take any other sleep-inducing medications while using Ambien CR as well – this is especially true for other Zolpidem-based medications, as this will only serve to multiply their effects, plus cause unknown reactions by the mixing of additional ingredients present in different products. All in all, if you’re going to go for a sleep medication, make sure you only take one brand and if it’s going to be Ambien CR, stick with it – adding anything else could be very dangerous.