ER Visits Following Adverse Reaction to Zolpidem Rise by 220 Percent

Emergency room visits due to use of sleeping medication zolpidem, also known by the brand name Ambien, rose by 220 percent, said a report by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

According to data, total ER visits due to adverse reaction from the drug rose from 6,111 visits in 2005 to 19,487 visits in 2010.

Zolpidem is used by millions of Americans and is an FDA-approved drug for treating short-time insomnia. The drug belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics and works by slowing down the brain to allow it to sleep. FDA had recently recommended that people lower the doses of the drug at night because many studies have found that the drug impairs certain activities during daytime, such as driving. Adverse reaction to the drug involves hallucinations, sleepwalking, drowsiness and reduced attention.

The effects of the drug are enhanced when it is used with other medication, such as those used to lower anxiety or pain-relievers. According to the report, about 37 percent of all emergency cases involved people using zolpidem with some other drugs.

"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," said Pamela S. Hyde Administrator, SAMHSA, in a news release.

The report also found that the number of women ending up in ER after taking the drug increased substantially, registering a 274 percent increase compared with about a 44 percent increase among men between 2005 and 2010.

Read the entire survey report here.