The AMBIEN® (zolpidem tartrate) 
Legacy
The chemical structure of AMBIEN is different from benzodiazepines (found in Valium, Xanax, and Halcion to name a few), and other drugs with known hypnotic properties.1
Unlike benzodiazepines, AMBIEN preferentially binds to the BZ-1 receptor subtype of the GABAA receptor complex.2 This subtype is thought to be the one most closely associated with sleep.1
Even though the selective binding of AMBIEN to the BZ-1 receptor is not absolute, it may help explain the relative absence of myorelaxant and anticonvulsant effects in animal studies. This may also explain how AMBIEN helps people maintain deep sleep (stages three and four) in human studies.2
- Sanger DJ, Benavides J, Perrault G, et al. Recent developments in the behavioral
pharmacology of benzodiazepine (
) receptors: evidence for the functional significance of receptor
subtypes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 1994;18:355-372.
- AMBIEN Prescribing Information, sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.
AMBIEN CR is indicated for the treatment of insomnia.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
AMBIEN CR is a treatment option you and your healthcare provider can consider along
with lifestyle changes and can be taken for as long as your provider recommends.
Until you know how AMBIEN CR will affect you, you shouldn't drive or operate machinery.
Be sure you're able to devote 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again.
Sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake, with amnesia for the event,
have been reported. If you experience any of these behaviors contact your provider immediately.
In rare cases, sleep medicines may cause allergic reactions such as swelling of your tongue
or throat, shortness of breath or more severe results. If you have an allergic reaction while
using AMBIEN CR, contact your doctor immediately. Side effects may include next-day drowsiness,
dizziness, and headache. It's non-narcotic; however, like most sleep medicines,
it has some risk of dependency. Don't take it with alcohol.
Please see additional important information.
Please refer to the full prescribing information.
AMBIEN is indicated for short-term treatment, to help you fall asleep.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
When you first start taking AMBIEN, use caution in the morning when engaging in
activities requiring complete alertness until you know how you will react to this
medication. In most instances, memory problems can be avoided if you take AMBIEN
only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need
to be active again. As with any sleep medication, do not use alcohol while you are
taking AMBIEN.
Sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake, with amnesia for the
event, have been reported. If you experience any of these behaviors contact your
provider immediately. In rare cases, sleep medicines may cause allergic reactions
such as swelling of your tongue or throat, shortness of breath or more severe results.
If you have an allergic reaction while using AMBIEN, contact your doctor immediately.
Prescription sleep aids are often taken for 7 to 10 days – or longer as advised
by your provider. Like most sleep medicines, it has some risk of dependency.
There is a low occurrence of side effects associated with the short-term use of
AMBIEN. The most commonly observed side effects in controlled clinical trials were
drowsiness (2%), dizziness (1%), and diarrhea (1%).
Please see additional important information. Please refer to the full prescribing
information.