Ambien FAQ
What is Ambien?
Is there any recent news about Ambien?
Does Ambien cause memory loss?
Are there any special warnings or precautions I have to know about before I start taking Ambien?
What is Ambien?
Ambien makes part of a drug class called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which as the name suggests make the central nervous system to work slower than usual. Ambien was developed and is produced by the French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis, and is used for the treatment of short-term insomnia. Ambien was approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.
Is there any recent news about Ambien?
There are different reports in the media concerning Ambien. Some reports state that there were cases of sleepwalking and sleep-related eating in people who were taking Ambien. There were also reports about short term memory loss in some patients, who were unable to remember their actions while they were on the drug.
Recently, Sanofi-Aventis, manufacturer of Ambien, has responded to these reports using different media. The response states that although there wasn't a stable link between the use of Ambien and sleepwalking discovered during clinical studies, somnambulism (sleepwalking) still is included as a quite rare yet potential side-effect of the drug.
Does Ambien cause memory loss?
In certain cases, Ambien like many other sleep aids may cause short term memory loss. When insomnia (memory loss) takes place the person is unable to remember the things he/she has done after taking Ambien and before its effects wear off. If you want to avoid such unpleasant side-effects make sure you have enough time for sleep (at least 7-8 hours) when taking Ambien in order to have enough time for the drug to fully wear off from your body.
Are there any special warnings or precautions I have to know about before I start taking Ambien?
Sleep medicines can have a reduced effectiveness with time if they are used for a period of several weeks because they are mostly designed as treatments for short-term insomnia, and Ambien is no exception. So talk to your doctor before starting a course of Ambien if you feel you need a longer course (7-10 days).
If you suddenly stop taking Ambien after a prolonged course you may experience withdrawal symptoms and return of insomnia, so it is recommended to reduce the dosage gradually when you finish the course.
Ambien can affect alertness and reactions, making people drowsy, clumsy, dizzy, lightheaded, unsteady, and less alert. So make sure you know how exactly Ambien affects your perception before operating any machinery or performing tasks where increased alertness is required.
In rare cases people have reported strange thoughts and behavior while taking Ambien. If you observe any abnormalities in the way you think or act, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
