Apr 19, - side-effects of some prescription sleeping pills have prompted the While Ambien is approved for use in Canada, it is not available for sale. Unfortunately, in many cases, Ambien's effect on brain chemistry results in much more than a good night's sleep. In , the FDA received 48 "adverse event". Jan 31, - Q. I've heard a lot lately about the sleeping pill Ambien causing odd side effects, like sleep-driving and sleep-eating. True? A. Yes. Ambien.