Ambien Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment

Key Takeaways

• Talk to your doctor about gradually tapering your Ambien dose to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
• Ambien withdrawal symptoms can start within 48 hours after your last dose and usually go away in a week or two.
• Mild withdrawal symptoms include insomnia and restlessness, while severe symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and seizures.

Ambien (zolpidem) is a prescription medication used for short term treatment of insomnia. It belongs to a group of drugs called sedative-hypnotics that work by depressing the central nervous system and slowing down brain activity.

While Ambien is generally considered safer than certain other sedatives, it can still be misused. Long-term use may lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal.

What is the most important information I should know about Ambien withdrawal?

• Ambien can lead to dependence and withdrawal even when taken as prescribed.
• If you want to discontinue Ambien, talk to your doctor about gradually tapering your dose to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

 Verywell / Gary Ferster

How Ambien Withdrawal Works

If you’ve been taking large doses of Ambien for more than a few weeks, you may experience withdrawal symptoms upon stopping. These symptoms can range from a general unwell feeling to tremors, anxiety, palpitations, and seizures. Case reports suggest that withdrawal symptoms are most common among people who quit abruptly after long-term or heavy use.

The effects of regular Ambien use are similar to alcohol intoxication and can cause impaired judgment, slurred speech, and behavioral changes. It is also associated with complex sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking and sleep eating.

Ambien dependence is more likely in people with a history of drug or alcohol misuse. Dependence and withdrawal are rare in people taking Ambien precisely as directed, but it can still happen.

According to the label from the drug manufacturer, withdrawal symptoms appear in about 1% of people taking a therapeutic dose. However, that figure did not account for the instances of people misusing Ambien.

Ambien Misuse

Ambien misuse can include taking larger doses than prescribed or intentionally staying awake after taking it to take advantage of the drug’s intoxicating effects.

Signs & Symptoms of Ambien Withdrawal

Although it was previously believed to be rare, new research suggests that withdrawal symptoms may be common among those who take the drug more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed.

Unfortunately, there is not enough data available about Ambien withdrawal and further research is needed. From reports of specific cases, clinicians know that Ambien withdrawal can range from mild to severe and depend on factors such as:

• How long you have used Ambien
• The dosage you’re taking
• The forms you’ve taken

Mild symptoms of withdrawal include insomnia and restlessness. These symptoms may be bothersome and can interfere slightly with your day-to-day activities, but they are not serious.

Severe withdrawal symptoms, which would prevent you from engaging in normal activities, include flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sweating, and muscle cramps.

There are reports of people experiencing severe anxiety and nervousness. It is also possible to experience tremors, become lightheaded, have a panic attack, or even potentially have a seizure.

How Long Does Ambien Withdrawal Last?

Ambien withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 48 hours after your last dose and should resolve within a week or two.

Possible Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms

Physical

• Aches and pains

• Hand tremors

• Headache

• Hyperventilation

• Nausea or vomiting

• Racing pulse

• Restlessness

• Speech difficulties

• Sweating

Psychological

• Anxiety

• Confusion or delirium

• Insomnia

• Panic attacks

Keep in mind that Ambien withdrawal symptoms can be compounded by the effects of other substances or medications you’re taking.

Coping & Relief for Ambien Withdrawal

If you take a regular therapeutic dose of Ambien, it is unlikely that you will experience withdrawal symptoms. However, you may have trouble sleeping without it.

Tapering Your Dose

To train your body to fall asleep without sleep aids, you may choose to taper your dose over the course of one to two weeks. Under your doctor’s guidance, you can use a pill cutter, which you can pick up at any pharmacy, to chop your pill into halves and quarters.

Always consult your doctor before making changes to your medications.

If you are still having trouble sleeping after stopping Ambien, consider talking to your doctor about melatonin as an alternative. Melatonin is a natural chemical produced in the brain that helps regulate your sleep cycles. As you get older, your brain doesn’t produce as much melatonin as it used to. A melatonin supplement at bedtime can help.

Other herbal remedies can help you fall asleep, such as valerian root and chamomile tea.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms of Ambien withdrawal, your doctor or inpatient program’s physician may recommend the short-term use of a sedative. Common sedatives prescribed to help with Ambien withdrawal include:

Warnings

Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication. If you are worried about withdrawal, your doctor can help you safely taper down your dose.

If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor immediately. Some research suggests that Ambien may be harmful to a developing fetus and increase the risk of low birth weight, preterm delivery, and cesarean delivery.

If you regularly take a higher than normal dose of Ambien, you may be at increased risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. You should speak with your doctor and refrain from self-medicating with other drugs or alcohol.

Long-Term Treatment

Recovery from an Ambien use disorder can be difficult. If you are having trouble quitting or trying to quit more than one substance, it’s important to ask for help. That help may be medical, psychological, or social.

• Medical assistance: Outpatient treatment comes in many forms. You may choose to start with your regular doctor or a psychiatrist who can help you with medically-assisted detox.
• Individual therapy: You may also choose to see a therapist for therapy. Psychotherapy can help you identify triggers that motivate your substance use and teach you the skills to handle those situations.
• Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are offered at hospitals and addiction treatment centers. 12-Step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) take place every day in cities and towns throughout the country.
• Inpatient treatment: If you need more support than outpatient treatments or 12-Step programs can provide, you may want to consider spending some time in an inpatient treatment facility.

Resources

If you are ready to quit taking Ambien, talking with your prescribing doctor is the best place to start. Your doctor can advise you about the best way to quit and help you develop a plan to deal with any potential withdrawal symptoms.

To find a 12-Step meeting in your area, use searchable online directories for Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Additional Reading

• American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.

By Corinne O’Keefe Osborn

Corinne Osborn is an award-winning health and wellness journalist with a background in substance abuse, sexual health, and psychology.

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