Identification

• Ambien and Ambien CR, are considered sedative-hypnotic drugs. This type of drug is designed to bring on and perpetuate sleep. It is used for treatment of short-term insomnia. The generic form of Ambien is zolpidem tartrate.
  
  

Side Effects

• Serious side effects include getting up from bed and partaking in activities you do not remember doing, such as sleepwalking, eating or driving. Other notable side effects are memory loss, anxiety and abnormal thoughts or behaviors. More common side effects may be drowsiness, diarrhea and dizziness.
  
  

Significance

• Ambien and Ambien CR work as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. As a result, do not drink alcohol while taking this drug. The potential side effects could be magnified or fatal.
  
  

Considerations

• Inform your doctor if you have previously experienced serious side effects with other sedative-hypnotic drugs like Seconal or Valium. These drugs are the same class of drug as Ambien and Ambien CR.
  
  

Potential

• A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Ambien manufacturers, Sanofi-Aventis, by Susan Lask, a New York attorney. The suit represents people named, who have been negatively affected by the drugs side effects such as sleepwalking.