Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of using Ambien as follows:
Central nervous system side-effects
- Ambien use can result in episodes of confusion, dizziness, unusual dreams, daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, and light-headedness.
- Individuals taking Ambien can also present compromised memory, reduced alertness, and forgetfulness. Individuals taking Ambien can develop anterograde amnesia, which is a compromised ability to form new memories after the intake of medication.
- Ambien use, especially in individuals with history of anxiety and bipolar disorder, can result in exacerbation of depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, irritability, compromised sexual drive, and provoke thoughts of suicide.
Respiratory depression
- Ambien use, especially in individuals with history of breathing disorders, such as, asthma, sleep apnea, and COPD, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and difficulty breathing. This risk can be very high if these individuals are also taking any other products and drugs, which also carry the risk of depression of the respiratory center, such as, alcohol, OTC cough syrups, narcotic pain medications, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death.
