I took 12.5mg CR Ambien for several years. It eventually became ineffective, but I never had any side effect problems. You can look at many medical websites to find a list of possible side effects, which can be substantial. However, again I didn't have any.

As for ending its use, no problem. I made a knife switch (from one night to the next) to amitriptyline without any problems. These two drugs are totally different and in fact amitriptyline is technically not a sleep aid, but is often prescribed for sleep in very low doses. One other benefit for me is that amitriptyline is known to help some people that have chronic nerve pain. This benefit is hit or miss for different people. For me, it made a huge difference in reducing my chronic pain. It is also dirt cheap.

My doctor said that Ambien is not additive. Many on this Board will likely disagree, but I am telling you what my doctor said plus my personal experience. You may become dependent, but it is not additive (there is a difference). If you are are worried about weaning off, then do not use the CR type. IR versions can be cut with a pill cutter until you have reduced it to nothing.

Thanks so much for that information, sptrout. It is helpful.

Only CR works for me but I am having less and less results with ambien. If you say I can continue to take it and not be addictive, then that makes me feel better. So tired of having to take a pill to sleep but to lay there 8 long hours totally awake is killing me because I can go 5 straight nights. Do you have any other suggestions in case Ambien stops working? Got some panic attacks from Lunesta after 8 days. At a total loss how to rid myself of this issue and it's consuming my life which I hate. I hate how self-focused I have become but it's so damn painful to experience. Tried Elevail but that didn't do much...how much dosage did you take?