"i am 52 and i had sleep problems from approximately age 33 until age 45 when i started taking ambien. somewhere in there i almost got fired for falling asleep at work several times so i asked my doctor for help and he prescribed ambien and i couldn&#039;t feel happier about it. most nights i take 5 mg and i sleep well.  some nights i have to take 10 mg. i have occasional ambien amnesia but other than that i have had no side affects.  my doctor keeps telling me i need to quit taking it but since he takes it too he keeps writing me scripts. make sure you don&#039;t drink alcohol or take other medicines at the same time and you should be fine. my mom and dad had sleep problems so i know it is hereditary. i love this medicine."