I've been on Ambien for almost half a year now (MUCH longer than you're supposed to be). It doesn't cause memory loss per se, but it can cause reality distortion (like not knowing the difference between what you dreamed and what really happened). So, in that sense, yes, it certainly messes up your memory. I've done stuff on it that I didn't remember, and dreamed up things I SWEAR happened... pretty crazy. And no, before you ask, I'm not schizophrenic.

Ambien is bad news. I've known a person who was severely addicted to it after using it for years. Gradually, this person needed an incrementally higher dose to get the same sedative effect. During the most severe phase of the addiction, the person would go to many doctors and pharmacies to get several prescriptions for it and even pay other people to get even more prescriptions. This person also suffered from tonic-clonic, or grand-maul seizures when the level of dependency greatly exceeded the ability to procure the drug. There is a clinical study (available online) linking ambien withdraw to seizures. I would guess that it is better to have a few sleepless nights than to gamble with the known and unknown side effects of ambien.

"Zolpidem is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors at the same location as benzodiazepines. It works quickly (usually within 15 minutes) and has a short half-life (2–3 hours). Some trade names of zolpidem are: Ambien,[2] Hypnogen, Ivadal, Lunata, Myslee, Nimadorm, Nitrest, Sanval, Somit, Stella, Stilnoct, Stilnox, Zoldem, Zodorm, Zolfresh, and Zolt." "As an anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant, the beneficial effects start to emerge at 10 and 20 times the dose required for sedation, respectively.[5] For that reason, it has never been approved for either muscle relaxation or seizure prevention. Such drastically increased doses are more inclined to induce one or more negative side-effects, including hallucinations and/or amnesia." "Side-effects at any dose may include: Anterograde amnesia Hallucinations, through all physical senses, of varying intensity Delusions Altered thought patterns Ataxia or poor motor coordination, difficulty maintaining balance[30] Euphoria and/or dysphoria Increased appetite Decreased libido Amnesia Impaired judgment and reasoning Uninhibited extroversion in social or interpersonal settings Increased impulsivity When stopped, rebound insomnia may occur" Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambien Further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anterograde_amnesia

I thought I already answered this one but don't see my answer so... I took Ambien for years and have noticed a huge difference in the effects it has on my memory. I have bad enough memory as it is but when I was taking Abmbien it was much, much worse.

I have taken ambien for years and honestly, it doesn't affect my memory that I am aware of. At one point I was addicted to it and then it did obviously cause I was taking 30-40 a day but now, it doesn't affect my memory at all. Some people react differently to different drugs and that may be a side effect that affect some people but not all.

I take the generic form of Ambien (Zolpidem) and I don't feel any difference. Same stuff, different name.

Ambien is not for everyone. My wife has a sleep disorder and Ambien was prescribed. She could not tolerate the effects of Ambien. Its also highly addictive. Now, she uses Lanesta. what a difference.

Ambien only messes up my memory if I stay up too long after taking it. I'd wake up in the morning on the floor not knowing when or why I chose to sleep there. I'd wake up wearing clothing I normally wouldn't wear. Strange things would happen. But, I do love my ambien!

I have had a number of "black outs" while on Ambien. The next day I only have vague memories of what I did while on it.