"Complex behaviors such as "sleep-driving" (i.e., driving while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic, with amnesia for the event) have been reported with sedative-hypnotics, including zolpidem. These events can occur in sedative-hypnotic-naive as well as in sedative-hypnotic-experienced persons. Although behaviors such as "sleep-driving" may occur with Ambien CR alone at therapeutic doses, the use of alcohol and other CNS depressants with Ambien CR appears to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of Ambien CR at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose. Due to the risk to the patient and the community, discontinuation of Ambien CR should be strongly considered for patients who report a "sleep-driving" episode. Other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex) have been reported in patients who are not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic. As with "sleep-driving", patients usually do not remember these events. Amnesia, anxiety and other neuro-psychiatric symptoms may occur unpredictably."
-sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC
Bridgewater, NJ 08807 October, 2010
Bridgewater, NJ 08807 October, 2010
Following, I have made a few adjustments which I will be suggesting to the FDA (their words and mine):
Complex behaviors such as "sleep-driving" (made even more complex when combined with eating, talking on the cell phone, or navigating winding roads), or, driving cars, uhauls, go-karts, or golf balls while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic-erotic-psychotic-robotic, with amnesia for the event, have been reported with Ambien. These events can occur in sedative-hypnotic-naïve (children) as well as in sedative-hypnotic-experienced persons (hippies). Although behaviors such as "sleep-driving" may occur with Ambien CR when you are alone, the use of alcohol, meth, chocolate, butane, lysol or other CNS depressants with Ambien CR appears to increase the risk of such ostracizing behaviors, as does the use of Ambien CR at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose (so you might as well exceed the dose, and then maybe you'll remember even less). Due to the risk to the patient, but more so to the sleep-capable community, discontinuation of Ambien CR should be strongly considered for patients who report a "sleep-driving" episode, which is usually only communicable (given the amnesia) when a patient experiences a "sleep-phoning" or "sleep-emailing" episode directly following a joy ride. Other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating ethnic food, making difficult phone calls, or having tantric sex) have been reported in patients who are not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic. As with "sleep-driving", patients usually do not remember these events. In cases involving sedative-hypnotic food preparation, patients reported cases of overeating, combining uncomplimentary ingredients, using and ruining roommates’ Teflon cookware, and scorching the roofs of their mouths. In cases involving making phone calls on Ambien, patients reported racking up QVC charges, scheduling dental appointments in other states, getting in touch with their long-lost family members, and dialing 900 numbers. In situations involving sexual intercourse while under the influence of Ambien, 90% of patients reported extreme satisfaction and an increase in one-night stands. The other 10% reported sore genitalia and carpal tunnel-like symptoms. And lastly, in rare cases, patients have been known to exhibit all these complex behaviors simultaneously, every time leading to public humiliation and hospitilization. Amnesia, anxiety and other neuro-psychiatric (aka Borderline Nerve Disorder…”fight..no, flight..no, freeze…I don’t know what message to send to my fucking brain!”) symptoms may occur unpredictably, so plan accordingly.
And yet it's worth it for that 5 hour nap.
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