Ambien linked to sleepwalking, eating binges, doubt sleep specialists
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Tue, 14 Mar 2006 18:34:00 GMT |
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Ryan Jones |
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NEW YORK: The widely prescribed sleep medication in the U.S., Ambien, may have links to sleepwalking and related behaviours, including eating binges, unusual telephone conversations, shoplifting and even compulsive driving, by patients taking the drug, according to sleep researchers who are studying the drug.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration too has received similar reports, though so far there is no conclusive proof to link the drug to such behaviours.
Sanofi-Aventis, which makes the drug, claimed such a side effect is rare and the medication is safe and effective when used under medical supervision. The company advises patients not to consume alcohol while on the drug.
Sleep specialists too advise patients to consult doctors before taking the drug and report any side effects immediately.
Sanofi-Aventis mentions somnambulism as a "rare" side effect in the drug literature accompanying the product. This indicates that walking in sleep is reported in fewer than one in 1,000 patients who are put on the drug.
The company, however, declined to answer questions. It later issued a statement saying somnambulism is known as a side effect of the drug, but rare, and that "when taken as prescribed, Ambien is a safe and effective treatment for insomnia".
Case reports on sleepwalking associated with the drug have been published in medical journals in the past . Researchers of the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center had reported 19 additional cases at a medical conference in 2005.
Ten state toxicology labs now consider Ambien among the top 10 drugs found in impaired drivers. A toxicologist, Laura Liddicoat, says it is not just any passive driving. "It's driving on entirely the wrong side of the road and almost having head-on collisions.”
Dr Mark Mahowald, director of the Minnesota Center, who is carrying out research into the problem of eating habits of people on Ambien, said these people are "hellbent to eat". He and his team of researchers have found that a sleep-related eating disorder is one of the unusual side effects of using Ambien. Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester too have found similar links.
Ambien is a brand name in the U.S. for the drug zoldipen, which is available under Stilnox and Stilnocht brands in some other countries. Its sales are estimated to be at $2.2 billion a year in the U.S. It is an advertised drug.
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Ambien Users Beware!
By:
Donna Carter-Kelly ,
Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:07:34 GMT |
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I had all the same kinds of things happening to me when I took Ambien. I slept-ate, slept-cooked, slept-drove & called people saying terrible things I couldn't fathom saying. I lost my chilhood bestfriend because of my horrible actions while under the influence. I even threatened to shoot someone in an Instant- Message while sitting on the computer one night. I went to bed without signing off & there it was for me to see the next morning. It was so damn humiliating! I learned to ask people to not IM me at night late, or to not answer my phone calls. I put alarms on my doors to hopefully signal me to wake up
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Ambien and memory ***BEWARE***
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Kelly Shae ,
Mon, 01 May 2006 02:47:09 GMT |
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I've taken Ambien in the past and will never take it again. One night I ate half a chocolate cake and didn't know until I woke the next morning feeling sick and found the cake half gone. Worse than that, my husband would take advantage of me when I'd take it. He would tell me things that I did that I had no memory of. It was horrible not to remember. He still beds me to take it. I'd call people in the night and not remember. I am afraid for myself and my family to take it again.
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My Similar Experience with Lunesta
By:
Sabin Smith ,
Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:10:04 GMT |
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I just spent 90days in jail because of a crime I committed while on Lunesta. Now I’m finally out, the judge released me on a PR bond, I’m soon to be sentenced. I was looking at 3-4 years in prison, fortunately my lawyer worked out a deal to get me 3 years of probation and a lot of community service –and required psychiatric treatment so I never do this again… I remember telling my family that I don’t remember what happened, they were confused and started seeking psyche hospitals for me –they thought I was insane. Then they saw a special on CBS about ambien sleep walking and driving. There was even an individual who committed a crime. I think for some people those chemicals work differently and make them sleepwalk. I never had a sleepwalking, driving, eating, episode until I used Lunesta
I’m a 27y/o male who is in excellent physical condition, 5’11” 185lbs. I have some college education under my belt but I received the majority of my career based knowledge through my employers. I’ve had no trouble with the law before the DWI and the Burglary, just speeding and parking tickets.
If you choose to take Lunesta please remember that strange things can happen. Although my financial situation is unfortunate this whole experience hasn’t ruined my life like it could have if I drove over someone while on Lunesta.
Many people say that I should’ve told the doctor of my strange behavior as outlined in the patient pamphlet with Lunesta, the problem is that I wasn’t aware I was doing anything strange because I was partially asleep.
Please post a message if you have any questions or if you’ve experienced similar behaviors.
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Ambien side effects
By:
R Johnson ,
Sat, 25 Mar 2006 03:42:05 GMT |
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I have been taking Ambien since its inception and it has worked wonders for my sleep disorder. However, I have recently experienced what I thought were isolated incidents which include strange cuts and bruises and phone calls I don't recall and was just alerted yesterday to the news about these side effects. Does anyone know if the new drug Lunesta is as effective as Ambien and if it comes with the same side effects? I hate to give up the only thing that works for me- I don't want to have to go back to the hell of insomnia!!! HELP...
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Ambien
By:
Nina ,
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:31:54 GMT |
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I didn't know Ambien had so many side effects. 1 week ago I got on the Interstate the wrong way. Good thing the traffic wasn't speeding getting off the freeway, or I would have been road kill.
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Ambien
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Liz Bonnet ,
Sat, 18 Mar 2006 15:40:19 GMT |
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I'm very surprised to hear about all of the crazy stories linked to the use of Ambien. I use it often and as I respect the drug requirements (no alcohol or other drug, 8 hours of sleeping...) I never had any troubles.
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Ambien
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Dwayne C ,
Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:49:08 GMT |
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This drug is for real. It is not a joke. There are very serious side effects that can happen to totally innocent victims who only want o get a good nights sleep. I want go into here but it has totally shattered my Life.
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use of ambien
By:
Sherry Alling ,
Wed, 15 Mar 2006 18:48:25 GMT |
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Oh my gosh, I though it was just me. I get up in the morning and find a mess in my kitchen where I had eaten somesthing, and then there were days I would go to get the left overs from the night before for lunch and they are gone and the remainder in the trash. I knew I had been gaining wieght. And the phone conversation, I have called friends and do not remember calling them or the conversation. They will tell me later I called them.
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sleep disorders
By:
Rabe ,
Wed, 15 Mar 2006 17:27:40 GMT |
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*No chance whatsoever* that the existence of *some kind of sleep disorder* is what caused insomnia/sleeping problems in the first place is there? Really, wow, brain-child.
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Ambien Night Binges
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E. Ventola ,
Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:36:54 GMT |
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I have been having night binges and making weird telephone calls since I have started taking Ambien.
I thought it was just me and was embarrassed to tell anyone. Thank God, on the morning show today from New York I saw the anchor man talking about it with this women who has a lawsuit against the company. I would find wrappers, on the counter, crumbs all over. And weirdest of all is I would make telephone calls to my friends and say foolish things.
I hope they can rectify this matter as Ambien was the only thing that helped my insomnia, but is it worth the
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Ambien and sleep eating
By:
Loretta Fugate ,
Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:49:14 GMT |
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I was so relieved to hear that other people had experienced the same things that I have while taking ambien. Consuming large quanities of food and making irrational phone calls and NOT remembreing one thing about it - until I see the empty food containers the next morning and people tell me about calling them and talking nonstop about foolish things. I was beginning to think I was loosing my mind. Then while flipping through the TV channels last night Headline News was there describing me to a Tee.
I had shared this with my family (sisters and mother) since I live alone and had possibly mentioned it might be the drug - having no idea that it really was a side effect of Ambien - I don't ever recall getting a phamplet with the drug describing side effects. I take the stronger millgram of the pill - the lower milligram would not put me to sleep. I'm thankful that I have never gotten in the car and tried to drive !!!
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Use of Ambien
By:
Pamela York ,
Wed, 15 Mar 2006 02:33:10 GMT |
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I say, if people who have been having these
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