Use of sleep aids containing zolpidem has been tied to a 220-percent increase in emergency room visits, a new study says. Zolpidem is the active ingredient in the sleep aids Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar and Zolpimist.
The report, issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), looked at ER visits tied to the drug between 2005 and 2010. The study found there were 6,111 visits to the emergency room for adverse reactions to sleep aids in 2005. That number rose to 19,487 visits in 2010. The adverse reactions included daytime drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, agitation, sleep-walking and drowsiness while driving.
Zolpidem is an FDA-approved medication commonly used to treat insomnia. Many of the adverse reactions the study noted were due to overdosing or combining the medication with other drugs. Half of the ER visits because of zolpidem involved some other substance. In 37 percent of the visits in which zolpidem was combined with another substance, most also had used an anti-anxiety, anti-depressant drug or pain reliever.
The study noted females and those over 45 years of age represented a significant percentage of these patients. Females are at higher risk for adverse effects because their bodies release the drug's effects for a longer time. Manufacturers recommend half the regular dose for women.
"Although short-term sleeping medications can help patients, it is exceedingly important that they be carefully used and monitored. Physicians and patients need to be aware of the potential adverse reactions associated with any medication, and work closely together to prevent or quickly address any problems that may arise," SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in a press release.
According to IMS Health, combined prescriptions for zolpidem products including Ambien increased from 39 million in 2008 to almost 44 million in 2012.
