Adverse effects of sleep medications causing emergency situations

The DOD and the VA have been giving Ambien out so check with your doctor.

Sleep Well
Sleep disorders include a range of problems -- from insomnia to narcolepsy -- and affect millions of Americans. Dr. Michael Breus shares information and advice on sleep disorder and insomnia treatments and causes.
WebMD
By Michael Breus, PhD, ABSM

There’s more news about complications that can arise from prescription sleep medication: Side effects from a common prescription sleep aid are sending increasing numbers of people to emergency departments.

The number of people seeking emergency medical treatment for the adverse effects of sleep medications containing zolpidem has risen dramatically in recent years, according to a new federal report. Zolpidem is the active ingredient in several of the most commonly prescribed sleep medications, including Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist.

The report was issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Abuse Action Network (DAWN), which collects information about drug-related visits to emergency departments nationwide. Their analysis included all emergency-department visits that involved adverse effects of zolpidem during the years 2005-2010. During this 5-year period, visits to emergency departments involving adverse effects of zolpidem increased significantly, rising by more than 200%.
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