Ambien and Ambien CR (zolpidem) are brand-name prescription medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ambien and Ambien CR for use in adults. They’re approved to treat insomnia that involves trouble falling asleep. Ambien CR is also approved to treat insomnia that involves difficulty staying asleep.

Ambien and Ambien CR come as oral tablets. They belong to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. Generic forms of Ambien and Ambien CR are available.

For information about the dosage of Ambien and Ambien CR, including strengths and how to take them, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Ambien and Ambien CR, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Ambien and Ambien CR provided by the drugs’ manufacturer. When taking Ambien or Ambien CR, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below, you’ll find information on Ambien and Ambien CR’s form, strengths, and typical dosages.

Ambien and Ambien CR form

Ambien and Ambien CR come as oral tablets. You’ll take either medication by mouth.

Ambien and Ambien CR strengths

Ambien is available in the following strengths:

  • 5 milligrams (mg)
  • 10 mg

Ambien CR is available in the following strengths:

  • 6.25 mg
  • 12.5 mg

Ambien CR is an extended-release form of the drug. Unlike Ambien, it’s released into the body over time rather than all at once.

Typical dosages

Typically, a doctor will start you on a low dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR. If you’re still experiencing insomnia, your doctor may increase the Ambien or Ambien CR dosage strength prescribed. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Doses of this drug should be taken just before bedtime. Plan to have at least 7 to 8 hours available for sleeping after you take a dose.

Ambien dosage for insomnia

Recommended dosages of Ambien vary between males and females.*

The starting Ambien dosage for females is 5 mg once daily. The starting Ambien dosage for males is 5 mg or 10 mg once daily.

If the starting dosage is not effective, your doctor may increase your dosage. A 10-mg dose is the highest dose of Ambien per day that’s typically prescribed.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, use of the terms “male” and “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.

Ambien CR dosage for insomnia

Recommended dosages of Ambien CR also vary between males and females.*

The recommended starting dosage of Ambien CR for females is 6.25 mg once daily. For males, it’s 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg once daily. If the starting dosage is not effective, your doctor may increase your dosage.

A 6.25-mg dose is the lowest dose of Ambien CR per day that’s typically prescribed. A 12.5-mg dose is the highest dose of Ambien CR per day that’s typically recommended.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, use of the terms “male” and “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.

Long-term treatment

Ambien and Ambien CR are not meant to be used as long-term treatments. Instead, they are each used short term to treat insomnia.

If you take more Ambien or Ambien CR than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.

It’s important that you do not take more Ambien or Ambien CR than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an Ambien or Ambien CR overdose

Overdose symptoms for Ambien or Ambien CR can include:

In rare cases, an overdose could lead to death.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Ambien or Ambien CR

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Ambien or Ambien CR. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Ambien and Ambien CR.

What is the maximum Ambien dosage? Is there a ‘normal’ dose of Ambien?

The maximum dosage of Ambien that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is 10 milligrams (mg), taken once daily. The maximum recommended dosage of Ambien CR is 12.5 mg, taken once daily.

There isn’t a “normal” dose of either drug. However, there are typical recommended doses for both medications. To learn more, see the “Ambien and Ambien CR dosage” section above. Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR that’s right for you.

If you have additional questions about dosages for these medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do Ambien dosages compare between males and females?

Typically, doctors prescribe a higher dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR to treat insomnia in males compared with females.*

That’s because Ambien’s clearance has a higher rate in males. (Clearance describes how the body processes and removes a drug after a person takes it.)

Ambien’s clearance tends to have a lower rate in females. So, they may need a smaller dose of the drug to have the same effect as males.

If you’d like to learn more about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, use of the terms “male” and “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.

Is there a 2.5-mg dosage of Ambien?

No, this isn’t a recommended dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR. There also isn’t a “low dose” of Ambien for sleep problems. To learn about typical recommended doses for insomnia, see the “Ambien and Ambien CR dosage” section above.

Ambien comes in 5-mg tablets. However, its manufacturer has not stated whether it’s safe to cut the tablets in half.

Ambien CR is an extended-release tablet. It should not be cut, crushed, or chewed. This is because the drug may be released all at once instead of over a period of time as intended.

If you have questions about low doses of Ambien or Ambien CR, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Ambien have an extended-release form and dosage?

Yes, Ambien CR is an extended-release (ER) form of the medication. Unlike Ambien, Ambien CR is released into the body over time rather than all at once.

The recommended Ambien CR dosage is 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg, taken once just before bedtime.

For more information, see the “Ambien and Ambien CR dosage” section above.

The Ambien or Ambien CR dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of insomnia you’re using either medication to treat
  • your age
  • other medications you may take
  • your liver function and other medical conditions

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may recommend a lower dosage than usual of Ambien or Ambien CR. This may be the case if you’re age 65 years or older or if you have liver problems.

Ambien and Ambien CR come as oral tablets. Unlike Ambien, Ambien CR is released into the body over time rather than all at once.

You’ll take one Ambien tablet or one Ambien CR tablet once daily, just before bedtime. Plan to have at least 7 to 8 hours for sleeping after you take a dose.

Be sure to take Ambien or Ambien CR on an empty stomach. Doing so allows the drug to work quickly, which can help you fall asleep faster. Do not take the tablets with food or right after you’ve eaten.

It may be helpful to take Ambien or Ambien CR at the same time each day, just before going to sleep. This helps you maintain a regular sleep schedule, which may also help the medication work effectively to improve your sleep.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Ambien and Ambien CR in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

People who’ve misused drugs or alcohol may have a higher risk of misusing or becoming addicted to Ambien or Ambien CR.

Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. Addiction means taking a drug even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about misuse or addiction with Ambien or Ambien CR. Let them know if you’ve misused drugs or alcohol in the past. If your doctor recommends that you take Ambien or Ambien CR, they’ll likely monitor you closely during treatment.

It’s possible to develop dependence on Ambien or Ambien CR. Dependence means your body needs a drug in order to function like usual.

This risk may be greater for people who’ve:

  • taken Ambien or Ambien CR long term
  • taken higher doses of either drug
  • misused drugs or alcohol in the past

Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur if you stop taking Ambien or Ambien CR abruptly. These are symptoms that can happen when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.

Possible withdrawal symptoms for Ambien or Ambien CR can include:

  • flushing
  • uncontrolled crying
  • fatigue
  • nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps
  • lightheadedness
  • nervousness or panic attacks

Typically, these symptoms go away after a few days.

If you’re interested in stopping Ambien or Ambien CR, talk with your doctor first. They may have you taper your dosage slowly over a few days. This can help decrease possible withdrawal symptoms from the medication.

The dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drugs’ manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ambien or Ambien CR for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Ambien and Ambien CR. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Ambien and Ambien CR. For information about other aspects of Ambien and Ambien CR, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Ambien and Ambien CR compare with Lunesta, read this article.
  • Interactions. For details about what substances Ambien and Ambien CR interact with, see this article.
  • Details about insomnia. For details about your condition, see our science of sleep hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.