Ambien Sedative-Hypnotic Sleep Dangers
Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate) is a sedative-hypnotic sleep aid approved by the FDA in 1993 for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is currently the top selling sleep aid in the United States, with millions of prescriptions filled every year. Unfortunately, as the drug has become more popular, there have been more and more instances of dangerous and potentially deadly side-effects reported.
Parasomnia and Sleep Driving
One of the most serious side-effects associated with Ambien is referred to as Parasomnia. Parasomnia is a condition of semi-consciousness which occurs when a person is half asleep and half awake. Ambien received national attention when several states reported spikes in the number of Ambien-users involved in Parasomnia-induced sleep-driving.
- In 2006, the New York Times reported that Ambien was among the top 10 drugs found in the system of impaired drivers and officials from the state of Wisconsin identified Ambien in the bloodstreams of 187 arrested drivers from 1999 to 2004.
- In 2007, the FDA mandated that the makers of sedative-hypnotic drug products update their labels to warn against the dangers of “complex sleep-related behaviors, which may include sleep-driving.”
Other Side-Effects
Parasomnia has led many people to act out other sleep behaviors like making phone calls, binge eating, and having sex. Other behaviors which led to injury and became bases for Ambien lawsuits include:
- sleepwalking
- memory loss or amnesia
- falling asleep while operating heavy machinery
- daytime sleepiness or feeling of being drugged, resulting in an accident or fall
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Addiction
- Temporary insomnia
Contact An Experienced Ambien Attorney
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys are leaders in the area of drug and product liability litigation. Our Defective Drug and Products Division have extensive knowledge and resources in order to represent our clients efficiently and aggressively. The Defective Drug and Products Division represent a multitude of people who are battling against manufacturers of medical devices and/ or defective pharmaceuticals.
Your choice does matter. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries because of Ambien, call Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys immediately. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.
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