Ambien Side Effects Could Be Explained by New Research
Published: July 1st, 2009 • Comments: 7
The results of a new study involving mice may help explain the Ambien side effects that some users have reported, where they engaged in complex activites, such as driving, cooking or eating, while asleep.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigated the side effects of Ambien on mice who had their whiskers trimmed. Mice whose brain receptors had changed to deal with the loss of whiskers were found to suddenly become susceptible to Ambien sleep walking and other activities.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Hospital indicate that it is possible some users of the insomnia drug, whose brain receptors are different for some reason, may be responding to Ambien the same way, leading to the complex activities while they are asleep.
Ambien (zolpidem) is a sedative manufactured by Sanof-Aventis, which is one of the best selling medications in the United States. It is heavily marketed through direct to consumer advertisements to help people fall asleep and stay asleep with an extended release version.
A number of users of the drug have suffered catastrophic or fatal injuries as a result of Ambien sleep walking, attempting to drive a car or prepare food. While the user is half asleep and half awake, they may do things that they would not do if they were awake or attempt to do things they are not alert enough to do.
Reported injuries have occurred as a result of car accidents, falls, cooking injuries like fires and even people eating raw meat. However, hard scientific evidence explaining the phenomenon has been difficult to produce.
The new study suggests that Ambien may shut down brain circuits that inhibit other parts of the brain from working while asleep. Without those inhibitors, brain circuits that would normally be dormant become active. However, researchers say the experiments showed that it’s likely only to happen to people who have had their brain receptors changed in some way. This could occur in a variety of ways, such as by stress or alcohol use.
Researchers cautioned that more research into the Ambien sleep activities is necessary before any definitive conclusions can be made.
Comment by JC on 2 July 2009:
My mom drowned because she took ambien and it didn’t kick in immediately so she walked to the beach and fell asleep. The tide came in while she was in a sleep so heavy that it was like a semi-coma and the tide drowned her. She was only 54. She left a husband and two young daughters behind. Ambien is a lethal drug and should be banned from the markets instantly. Too many people have had unnecessary loss and heartbreak from it. The good definitely does not outweigh the bad. I am outraged though because there is nothing I can do to prevent it further.
Comment by E.B. on 8 July 2009:
My heart goes out to you.
I have taken ambien since 1998 and have found it to be very unpredictable. One day it works and the other day it doesn’t.
Memory loss and weird food habits are the norm. I take it to sleep days but have found it to be rather addictive. I hate the stuff, but when it does work, there is no hangover symptoms like other sleep aides.
Overall it should be pulled from markets because of the danger that you encountered with the drug. I’ve been lucky, and had many close calls. But as I stated earlier, the $h!ts addictive as hell and the docs have no clue. One evil drug, it’s ruined me and no one will listen. I’m all out and have to wait till Friday to get my re-fill!
As far as I’m concerned, they should dispense it on a day by day basis. But who knows what kind of kickback everyone pushing it gets. As for lawsuit? Forget about it, big pharma runs this country.
Comment by anne on 10 July 2009:
Ambien is a sleeping pill. When used as directed, it will make you sleep. When people abuse the drug, and use it for other purposes, than it becomes dangerous. It is too bad for the people who suffer from insomnia, and benefit from the effects of this powerful hypnotic. that there are those giving ambien a bad rap. I hope it remains on the market, because it has been a God Send for me, and I need this drug to sleep. Take this medicine only to sleep. Take it, then get into BED, Not a car, or the pool or go to the beach. Its for sleeping, deeply, and thats all its prescribed for.
Comment by Kirstie on 27 July 2009:
I took an Ambien while in bed. In the morning, I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in; addtionally, I had a painful, broken wrist. I have no idea how or where this happened. Also, I’m not sure there is a recreational use for Ambien. Sleepwalking on it is so common that, in their own print ads, the very first thing mentioned after the Ambien name is walking, cooking, or driving after taking it.
Comment by Tammy on 29 July 2009:
Anne my husband also takes ambien and he takes it only to help him fall asleep not for other purposes and believe me he takes it goes to bed and i have found him getting food out of the refrigerator and also trying to walk out the front door of the house with car keys in hand sooooo you cant say that if it is taken as perscribed it does wonders for people with insomnia because it is still a dangerous medication even when taken as directed.
Comment by angela on 31 July 2009:
I have been taking ambien since 1995- it has the good and bad – not sure which out weighs the other- but without it I can’t sleep- I’ve stopped taking it two or three time (had to be up nights with no sleep) but have always went back- I have done and said things I have no knowledge of- even sent a message to my boss at 3 am almost getting myself fired.
Comment by william on 10 August 2009:
in 200I I took ambien at 2pm, at 11:30 pm I awoke in jail for hitting two cars in my neighborhood. This is a dangerous drug too say the least. When you take a drug that is suppose to be safe, and then wake up somewhere else than the safety of your own bed, or home, someone should sue the hell out of the makers of ambien.