Memory Loss, Ambien and Complex Activities Performed While Sleeping

Amnesia is another name for memory loss. Ambien, manufactured by Sanofi Aventis, can cause amnesia. Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic medication that is given to patients as a sleep aid. The active ingredient in Ambien is zolpidem tartrate. The association between memory loss and Ambien usage are being studied.

Amnesia Is A Serious Condition

A physician may prescribe Ambien to a patient who is having staying asleep, falling asleep or waking up too early. Ambien should be used very carefully or not at all because of the risk for temporary amnesia that includes performing complex tasks while sleeping. Before taking Ambien, you must understand all the risks and should even consider taking the day off the day afterwards with a stay at home agenda. Not all patients suffer from the serious side effects that can be caused by Ambien.

Temporary Amnesia And Ambien

Ambien is being studied for its serious effects on memory because there are Ambien users who report experiencing short term amnesia after taking Ambien. Temporary amnesia is the condition of losing your memories after a change in the brain. Such a change in the brain could be the chemical reaction in the brain caused by taking Ambien.

In 2007, the manufacturer was ordered to use stronger language on the label to inform users of the potential risks of taking Ambien. The serious risks involved with memory loss and Ambien include complex-sleep related behaviors. Other complaints concerned severe allergic reactions. In events related to complex-sleep behaviors, the patient cannot remember the episodes associated with complex-sleep related behavior.

Complex-Sleep Related Behavior

Serious side effects involving memory loss after Ambien usage include binge eating while sleeping, cooking while sleeping, sleepwalking, sleep driving and having sex while sleeping. It is reported that a doctor went on the morning rounds and later did not remember doing so.

Ambien users may feel sleepy and still under the influence of the sleep aid medication even though they slept after taking Ambien. There are reports of Ambien users becoming involved in car accidents the day because of the lingering effect of Ambien.

Continuing Studies On The Side Effects Of Ambien

Investigations have been going on to discover any link between prior insomnia and the occurrence of complex-sleep related actions that are being performed while the user is sleeping. Other concerns being investigated are a possible higher risk factor for women and for people who have experienced sleepwalking before taking Ambien.

When you consider the risks of memory loss, Ambien may require more study before you agree to take this sedative-hypnotic medication. Is it necessary to be asleep and in a hypnotic state at the same time? Become informed memory loss and Ambien before taking Ambien for any sleep disorders.