FDA Recommends Lower Doses of Ambien for Women

<p><img class="alignnone" src="http://0.tqn.com/h/sleepdisorders/1/9/t/-/-/-/Ambien.jpg" alt="Getty Images" /></p> <p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today recommendations for women to lower their doses of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/sleepdisorderstreatment/a/Ambien.htm">Ambien</a>, a commonly prescribed <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/sleepdisorderstreatment/a/Sleeping-Pills-Overview.htm">sleeping pill</a>, in light of safety concerns related to morning driving.</p> <p>Laboratory studies have demonstrated that zolpidem, the generic name of Ambien and Zolpimist, could have longer lasting effects in women. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women could have a blood level high enough to impair driving 8 hours after taking the pill, compared to only 3 percent of men.</p> <p>As a result, the FDA recommends that women should use lower doses of the medication to treat their <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/commonsleepdisorders/a/What_Is_Insomnia.htm">insomnia</a>, either 5 milligrams of Ambien or 6.25 mg of extended-release Ambien CR. The changes are meant to decrease the potential risk while driving.</p> <p>Patients are advised to consult with their prescribing phys...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news