Dosage Details for Ambien

This section describes the usual dosages of Ambien.

What are the forms of Ambien?

Ambien is available in two dosage forms: immediate-release tablets and extended-release tablets. (Extended-release tablets slowly release their contents into your body over time.)

What strengths does Ambien come in?

Ambien comes in 5-milligram (mg) and 10-mg tablets. Ambien CR comes in 6.25-mg and 12.5-mg tablets.

What are the usual dosages of Ambien?

Your dosage of Ambien will be based on several factors, including:

• your age
• the form of the drug you’re prescribed
• how your body responds to the medication
• your sex assigned at birth

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for insomnia

Ambien and Ambien CR are only recommended for short-term use for insomnia. Standard dosages for each are described below.

Ambien dosage

If you’re female,* your doctor will likely start you with 5 mg of Ambien immediate-release. If you’re male,* your doctor may prescribe either 5 mg or 10 mg as your starting dose.

You’ll take your dose once daily, just before bedtime. Be sure to take your dose with at least 7–8 hours remaining before you need to wake up. This is to lower your risk of certain side effects, such as sleepiness and impaired driving the day after you take Ambien.

If your doctor prescribes 5 mg daily and your insomnia isn’t managed at this dosage, they may increase it to 10 mg daily. The maximum dosage of Ambien is 10 mg once per day before bed.

Note: Higher doses of Ambien can increase the risk of certain side effects from the medication. These include impaired driving and other tasks that require you to be alert. Be careful driving and operating machinery until you know how Ambien affects you.

* In this article, we use the terms “female” and “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Ambien CR dosage

The starting dosage of Ambien CR in females is 6.25 mg taken once daily. The starting dosage of Ambien CR in males is either 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg once daily.

You should take your dose just before bedtime when you have at least 7–8 hours remaining before you need to wake up. This is to lower your risk of certain side effects, such as sleepiness and impaired driving the day after you take Ambien.

If you’re prescribed the 6.25-mg dose and it doesn’t treat your insomnia, your doctor may increase your dose. The maximum dosage is 12.5 mg taken once daily just before bedtime.

Note: Higher doses of Ambien CR can increase the risk of certain side effects from the medication. These include impaired driving and other tasks that require you to be alert. Be careful driving and operating machinery until you know how Ambien CR affects you.

Is Ambien used long term?

No, Ambien is only used as a short-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it temporarily for your insomnia.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can take Ambien or Ambien CR.

Dosage adjustments

You may need dosage adjustments for Ambien or Ambien CR in some cases.

If you have liver problems, your doctor will likely prescribe a lower dosage of Ambien for you. This is because liver problems may make it harder for your liver to remove Ambien from your body. And having more Ambien in your system can increase your risk of side effects from the drug.

If you have mild to moderate liver problems, the recommended dosage of Ambien is 5 mg once daily before bedtime. The recommended dosage of Ambien CR for mild to moderate liver disease is 6.25 mg once daily before bedtime.

Ambien and Ambien CR are not recommended for use in people with severe liver disease.

If you’re age 65 years or older, your doctor will likely prescribe a lower dosage of Ambien for you. This is to reduce your risk of side effects from this medication.

The recommended dosage of Ambien for adults ages 65 years and older is 5 mg once daily before bedtime. The recommended dosage of Ambien CR for people in this age group is 6.25 mg once daily before bedtime.

If you have questions about your dosage of Ambien or Ambien CR, talk with your doctor.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Ambien’s dosage.

Is there a 20-mg or 2.5-mg daily dosage of Ambien?

No, there is no 20-milligram (mg) or 2.5-mg daily dosage of Ambien. The lowest starting dosage of Ambien is 5 mg once daily before bedtime. The maximum dosage is 10 mg once daily before bedtime.

The lowest starting dosage of Ambien CR is 6.25 mg once daily just before bedtime. And the maximum dosage is 12.5 mg taken just before bedtime.

If you’re having problems with your current dosage of Ambien, call your doctor. But do not change your dosage on your own.

Taking higher doses of Ambien or Ambien CR can cause dependence and addiction. (Dependence is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual. Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects.)

Your doctor can discuss your concerns with you and suggest other treatment options if your current Ambien dosage isn’t working for you.

What is the maximum dose of Ambien for females?

The maximum dosage of Ambien for females* depends on the form of Ambien you’re prescribed, your age, and other health conditions you may have.

The maximum dosage of Ambien is typically 10 mg once per day. Take your dose just before bedtime when you have at least 7–8 hours before you need to wake up. For females with mild to moderate liver problems or those ages 65 years and older, the maximum recommended dosage is 5 mg once daily.

The maximum dosage of Ambien CR for females is typically 12.5 mg taken daily just before bedtime. But in females with liver problems, or those ages 65 years and older, the maximum dosage is 6.25 mg once daily.

If you have questions about your dosage based on your sex assigned at birth, talk with your doctor.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The dosage of Ambien you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat
• your age
• your sex assigned at birth
• the form of Ambien you’re taking (Ambien or Ambien CR)
• other conditions you may have (see the “Dosage adjustments” section above)

Ambien and Ambien CR are used as short-term treatments to help manage insomnia (trouble sleeping). Always take the drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

You’ll swallow Ambien or Ambien CR by mouth just before bedtime. Be sure to allow at least 7–8 hours for sleep after taking Ambien or Ambien CR.

Do not take Ambien or Ambien CR with food, as this can cause it to take longer for the drug to work.

Do not crush, chew, or split Ambien CR tablets, as this can affect how the drug works. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Ambien, see the “Expiration” section of this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

• have large print
• use braille
• feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Ambien in an easy-open container.

Ambien and Ambien CR should only be taken if you have at least 7–8 hours before you need to wake up. If you miss taking your dose before bedtime, skip the missed dose.

Taking your dose too close to the time you need to wake up can increase your risk of certain side effects, such as impaired driving and sleepiness the day after you take Ambien.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Ambien on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Ambien or Ambien CR than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much Ambien

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Ambien or Ambien CR. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Ambien and Ambien CR are controlled substances in the United States. This means they have the potential for misuse, dependence, and addiction. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Dependence is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual. Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects.)

Controlled substance status also means government agencies, doctors, and pharmacists pay close attention to how the drug’s prescribed and used. Your doctor will assess your risk of misuse and addiction before prescribing this drug for you. You’re more likely to experience misuse or addiction if you have a mental health condition or have misused drugs or alcohol in the past.

Do not suddenly stop taking Ambien or Ambien CR after you’ve been taking it for some time. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms (side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug). These symptoms can include:

Tell your doctor if you have a history of substance misuse or addiction. They’ll monitor you closely for signs of misuse, dependence, or addiction.

If you need to stop taking Ambien or Ambien CR, your doctor will slowly lower your dosage to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms. Talk with them if you have questions about your dosage or your risk of withdrawal symptoms from either of these drugs.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ambien for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Ambien without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Ambien exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my dosage affect my risk of side effects from Ambien?
• Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I’m switched from Ambien CR to Ambien?
• How does the dosage of Lunesta compare with Ambien?

To learn more about Ambien, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.