Toxicity to pets

Ambien® (zolpidem) is a common sleep aid used in human medicine. Sleep aids are medications that are designed to reduce anxiety and help people sleep better. While designed to cause sleep and sedation in humans, sleep aids can have the opposite effect in dogs and cats. Sleep aids should never be given to pets without consultation with a veterinarian. Clinical signs of sleep aid poisoning in dogs and cats include CNS signs (sedation or agitation/hyperactivity), GI upset (vomiting), and cardiovascular signs.