Take the pills with a full glass of water and after food for a delayed sleep reaction. Ensure that you store the pills away from sunlight and in a closed bottle to prevent oxidation of the medication. Do not combine the Ambien sleeping pills with alcohol, caffeine or even other sleeping pills. I you want to stop the Ambien sleeping pills, stagger the dose over several days by gradually decreasing the dosage, this will reduce the potential side effects that will arise with the medication.