Ambien - Recent News

Sources in print, television, and online media have recently reported occurrences of sleepwalking and sleep-related eating in patients who may also be taking Ambien. The media has also reported that a number of patients have taken Ambien and experienced temporary memory loss or "amnesia": unable to remember events that occurred while they used the drug.

Sanofi-Aventis has recently issued responses to these stories, both in the media and on their website. The company states that, while sleepwalking has occurred during treatment with Ambien, the instances reported cannot be systematically linked to the product. Furthermore, the company asserts that the U.S. Prescribing Information remains accurate: somnambulism (sleep-walking) is a possible rare adverse event.

Ambien Precautions

In some cases, Ambien and other sleep medicines can cause a special type of memory loss or "amnesia." When this occurs, a person does not remember what has happened during the several hours between using Ambien and the time its effects wear off. In order to avoid memory problems, make sure to take Ambien only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again.

The effects of Ambien are more likely to occur in elderly patients, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults.

In general, because sleep medicines may lose their effectiveness if they are used every night for a long time, they should only be used for short periods of time (1 or 2 days) and generally for no longer than 1 or 2 weeks. Talk to your healthcare professional if you think you need to take Ambien for more than 7 to 10 days.

Ambien may cause some people (especially older persons) to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy, unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Even though Ambien is taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert when waking up. Also, Ambien may cause double vision or other vision problems. Make sure you know how you react to Ambien before you drive, use machines, or perform any activity that requires alertness, good coordination, or the ability to think and see well

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking Ambien, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare professional. Some changes that have occurred in people taking Ambien are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme -- such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

Stopping Ambien use suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects. Your healthcare professional may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

After taking Ambien for insomnia, you may have difficulty sleeping (rebound insomnia) for the first few nights after you stop taking it.