Will ambien cause birth defects?!

Use the right dosage and you won't have any problems, i.e. birth defects. Or better use herbal medicine and get rid of all sleeping pills.

http://ambiendosage.net/

According to the official Ambien (zolpidem) prescribing information,

Ambien is in Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Ambien in pregnant women. Ambien should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

"Oral studies of zolpidem in pregnant rats and rabbits showed adverse effects on the development of offspring only at doses greater than the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD of 12.5 mg/day). These doses were also maternally toxic in animals. A teratogenic effect was not observed in these studies. Administration to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis produced dose-related maternal toxicity and decreases in fetal skull ossification at doses 20 to 100 times the MRHD. The no-effect dose for embryo-fetal toxicity was 4 times the MRHD. Treatment of pregnant rabbits during organogenesis resulted in maternal toxicity at all doses studied and increased post-implantation embryo-fetal loss and under-ossification of fetal sternebrae at the highest dose (30 times the MRHD). The no-effect level for embryo-fetal toxicity was approximately 8 times the MRHD. Administration to rats during the latter part of pregnancy and throughout lactation produced maternal toxicity and decreased pup growth and survival at doses approximately 20 to 100 times the MRHD. The no-effect dose for offspring toxicity was approximately 4 times the MRHD. Studies to assess the effects on children whose mothers took zolpidem during pregnancy have not been conducted. There is a published case report documenting the presence of zolpidem in human umbilical cord blood. Children born of mothers taking sedative/ hypnotic drugs may be at some risk for withdrawal symptoms from the drug during the postnatal period. In addition, neonatal flaccidity has been reported in infants born of mothers who received sedative/hypnotic drugs during pregnancy."

Typically most doctors feel it is typically fine to occasionally use a hypnotic but daily use, especially for a prolonged period does have more significant risks although there is little evidence using Ambien at an appropriate dose will cause harm. You really need to talk to your doctor about any questions/concerns you may have.

M.D., C.M. psychiatry, internal medicine (Québec)
Hons. BSc pharmacology

Ambien Prescribing Information

"FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether zolpidem is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby."

http://www.drugs.com/ambien.html