“Sleep-driving” while under the influence of Ambien has captured wide attention and continues to be an alarming problem. Ambien (zolpidem) is one of the new “Z” drugs used as sleeping pills that are popular in commercials and doctors’ sample cupboards. But alternatives exist (most obviously the other Z’s - zopiclone/Lunesta, and zalepron/Sonata).
There have been newspaper reports of individuals arrested while sleep-driving, people who took Ambien at bedtime and didn’t even wake up during the arrest process. Like Devin Dove, who remained asleep until he woke up in a hospital bed and was handed a ticket for DUI by a nurse. The previous night he’d had no alcohol, no drugs - only his prescribed Ambien - and no recollection at all of driving or leaving his bed. Just waking in the hospital. He is concerned about others avoiding similar situations and the legal troubles that can follow.
Dove is expressing his feelings with Ambien Outrage, a web site that gathers stories from other victims, shares resources, and is intended to form a community. He’s putting out a call to all who’ve experienced sleep-driving, sleep-eating or more, to contact him and share your stories.
Although he is upset about his own case, what outrages Dove the most is that the FDA approved the drug and keeps it on the market after so many reports of sleep-eating, sleep-driving, sleep-arson, etc. in an automatic semiconscious state. In the legal system, somnambulism is a tricky legal point. The defendant can’t be held responsible since he had no plan, no motive and no memory of the crime. But in states across America, Ambien sleep-driving-related DUI tickets rack up. The Drug Law Blog is a good source to keep current with news.
Ambien can also cause hallucinations and a long list of other potential side effects. There are not enough of these cases to be statistically significant, which means it’s an acceptable risk in the view of the FDA. But while no sedative is without risk, Ambien seems to have more frequent and unusual risks, like sleep-driving.
The other two Z drugs (Lunesta and Sonata) work just fine without all the dramatic somatic symptoms of zolpidem (though of course they have side effects too). It’s a matter of asking your doctor to think about another prescription choice, and that starts with you being an informed consumer.
Insomnia is best treated with good sleep hygiene, optimal lighting, music, techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, and keeping to routine. Sedatives for sleep are dangerous to use for extended periods, and they’re intended for short-term, as-needed use.
Read more: An interesting legal opinion on somnambulism and the law.
Ambien Outrage.
(5 votes, average: 4.2 out of 5)
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6 Responses to “Ambien Outrage” (Pingbacks/trackbacks not shown below)
paige at 11:32 am on
June 1st, 2008
I take 20 mg of ambient every night and have been for a number of years. I have done things such as sending emails, text messages, phone calls, preparing and eating food, to name a few.
Last night I actually hopped in the car and ran to McDonalds because I did not have any thing in my house to eat that I wanted. I only vaguely remember what happened and woke at about 4 am thinking it was a dream. From what I think I remember or have pieced together, I drove directly into 1 curb and very possibly second curb. I got out of the car, in my pajamas, and pick up the car parts that had come off of my brand new Mercedes and threw them in the trunk. When I woke, I found food all over me, on my dog and in my bed. I still am not sure if the dog went with me to McDonalds….
I do not remember ordering food, paying for the food, getting home or even eating the food. It is Sunday morning and the tow truck has come and taken my car to the Mercedes dealership because it is not drivable. I estimate there to be at a minimum of $3,000 in damage….. Not a good morning for me.
I am still in shock that this happened. But it is very real. I am concerned as to how I will sleep tonight and whether to take the ambient. Tomorrow I will call my doctor first thing.
Thanks for listening.
Hank Roberts at 10:08 am on
June 4th, 2008
Can one of the medical people here point to any comparison of the memory problems related touse of sleeping medication and anesthetics?
Linda at 7:29 am on
June 5th, 2008
I have been using Ambien for years with no side effects what so ever. I also have two friends who take it with no side effects. I take 5mg a night. I wonder if sleep driving, eating, etc. could be related to dose. 20mgs seems like to much to me.
paige at 12:28 pm on
June 9th, 2008
Hi,
I just wanted to add to my comment above, that I too have been using ambien for years, maybe 5 or so years. Due to continued problems with sleeping, my dose continued to rise until I reached the 20 mg. I also tried the CR and it did not work for me.
Over the years, I recommended it to several friends since my treatment was successful, but added they may want to start with the CR first.
With what just happened to me, I am not sure how I feel about the drug. perhaps in small doses it works fine. But I think there are some memory side effects with the small doses.
At this time it is not right for me. I have gone for 7 days without taking ambien. I have not had any real noticeable side effects from stopping the drug. However, it is difficult to sleep, but i do get some sleep. I do believe that the drug is addicting and people can become dependent.
Fortunately for me, I was laid off from my job 2 weeks ago (I am fortunate to have this opportunity to get off the drug – not the part of no job) . It makes it easier for me to get off the drug at this time since I haven’t any where to be. But if I did have to show up for work, I think I would be here telling a different story of not being able to let go of the drug. Right now I fear the day I do have to return to work and if I will need the ambien again to sleep.
Sandra Kiume at 10:22 pm on
June 10th, 2008
Hi Paige,
Have you talked to your doctor about alternatives? I don’t quite understand why you would want to take the Ambien again when there are so many other options. Especially since, as you point out, it is addictive, and you had that sleep-driving experience.
Taking sleeping pills for years is never a good idea, in any case. They’ve only meant for short term use and they are dangerous. Have you tried some other, non-drug techniques?
Cornfields at 5:03 pm on
August 26th, 2008
Should I be disturbed that John McCain is also a regular user (as ABC reports)?
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Politics/story?id=4919842
It seems that most of the side effects occur when your sleep is disturbed or interrupted (something likely to occur when you are president)
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I take 20 mg of ambient every night and have been for a number of years. I have done things such as sending emails, text messages, phone calls, preparing and eating food, to name a few.
Last night I actually hopped in the car and ran to McDonalds because I did not have any thing in my house to eat that I wanted. I only vaguely remember what happened and woke at about 4 am thinking it was a dream. From what I think I remember or have pieced together, I drove directly into 1 curb and very possibly second curb. I got out of the car, in my pajamas, and pick up the car parts that had come off of my brand new Mercedes and threw them in the trunk. When I woke, I found food all over me, on my dog and in my bed. I still am not sure if the dog went with me to McDonalds….
I do not remember ordering food, paying for the food, getting home or even eating the food. It is Sunday morning and the tow truck has come and taken my car to the Mercedes dealership because it is not drivable. I estimate there to be at a minimum of $3,000 in damage….. Not a good morning for me.
I am still in shock that this happened. But it is very real. I am concerned as to how I will sleep tonight and whether to take the ambient. Tomorrow I will call my doctor first thing.
Thanks for listening.
Can one of the medical people here point to any comparison of the memory problems related touse of sleeping medication and anesthetics?
I have been using Ambien for years with no side effects what so ever. I also have two friends who take it with no side effects. I take 5mg a night. I wonder if sleep driving, eating, etc. could be related to dose. 20mgs seems like to much to me.
Hi,
I just wanted to add to my comment above, that I too have been using ambien for years, maybe 5 or so years. Due to continued problems with sleeping, my dose continued to rise until I reached the 20 mg. I also tried the CR and it did not work for me.
Over the years, I recommended it to several friends since my treatment was successful, but added they may want to start with the CR first.
With what just happened to me, I am not sure how I feel about the drug. perhaps in small doses it works fine. But I think there are some memory side effects with the small doses.
At this time it is not right for me. I have gone for 7 days without taking ambien. I have not had any real noticeable side effects from stopping the drug. However, it is difficult to sleep, but i do get some sleep. I do believe that the drug is addicting and people can become dependent.
Fortunately for me, I was laid off from my job 2 weeks ago (I am fortunate to have this opportunity to get off the drug – not the part of no job) . It makes it easier for me to get off the drug at this time since I haven’t any where to be. But if I did have to show up for work, I think I would be here telling a different story of not being able to let go of the drug. Right now I fear the day I do have to return to work and if I will need the ambien again to sleep.
Hi Paige,
Have you talked to your doctor about alternatives? I don’t quite understand why you would want to take the Ambien again when there are so many other options. Especially since, as you point out, it is addictive, and you had that sleep-driving experience.
Taking sleeping pills for years is never a good idea, in any case. They’ve only meant for short term use and they are dangerous. Have you tried some other, non-drug techniques?
Should I be disturbed that John McCain is also a regular user (as ABC reports)?
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Politics/story?id=4919842
It seems that most of the side effects occur when your sleep is disturbed or interrupted (something likely to occur when you are president)
