No matter what kind of sleeping pill you use they are all different kinds of downers. These pills are used to soothe the brain and lull the patient to sleep. But if you do overdose on the Ambien sleeping pills, it can soothe your respiratory center so much that you actually stop breathing and suffocate to death in your sleep. Most doctors try to avoid giving pills till the patient has exhausted all natural methods of falling asleep. If you have to use Ambien sleeping pills, use them as carefully as possible. Start with a mild dose and stick to it if it works for you. Avoid upping the dose till you have been checked over completely by a doctor. Try to use the Ambien sleeping pills only when you really are desperate for sleep as it has a whole range of side effects that can be scary. A few of the most common dangerous side effects that have been noted include: