Ambien: The FDA Warning in the Treatment of Insomnia & Risks of Sleep-Driving

In the United States, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients seeking out treatment for chronic insomnia. While most healthcare professionals recommend the elimination of caffeine and alcohol, others will recommend modified diets and increased exercise. For those patients who continue to suffer from insomnia, even after making these lifestyle modification, the use of sedative-hypnotice drugs, such as prescription Ambien, have become increasingly common. As a sleep disorder sufferer, it is important to understand not only the health risks to you personally, but the risks to the general public, when using these types of sleeping aides.

As a condition that is relatively similar to the concept of sleep walking, sleep-driving poses a greater threat to not only the sleep disorder sufferer but also the general public. While Ambien is quite effective and treating insomnia, in some patients, the prescription drug attributes to abnormal activity while asleep, i.e. sleep walking, overeating and, in some cases, impaired driving.

In the case of impaired driving, the FDA warns that not only does Ambien lead to the risk of impaired driving while asleep but also inhibits the control of a vehicle in the 24 hours after using Ambien. In fact, women are more commonly at risk than men and, in most cases, individuals who suffer from impaired sleep walking may also be at greater risk for sleep-driving.

In response to the increasingly greater risk of complications in not only the insomnia sufferer using Ambien but also a greater risk to the public, the FDA has advised the drug manufacturer of Ambien, as well as all other sedative-hynoptic drug makers, to place stronger labeling on their products. While these labels are designed to remind the patient of the risks and complications of the product use, it is ultimately up to the prescribing physician to ensure these sedative-hypnotic drugs, like Ambien, are prescribed, limitedly, to patients with a history of sleep walking.

For family members who care for an individual with a sleep disorder, such as insomnia, it is important to understand the risks the prescription drugs, such as Ambien, may play on the entire family. Taking extra cautionary steps, such as hiding car keys and double padlocking entry doors, may be necessary to ensure your loved one does not, inadvertantly, leave the home while sleep walking or, worse yet, engage in a sleep-driving event.

As with most sleep disorders, the key to obtaining optimal health outcomes lies in the appropriate diagnosis and treatment by a specialist in the field of sleep disorders. Before accepting a prescription from a healthcare professional, seek out the appropriate diagnostic testing and diagnosis in a controlled sleep study center. Once diagnosed appropriately, there may be alternative forms of treatment available to prevent the use of sedative-hypnotic drugs such as Ambien.