Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a prescription medication used for the short-term
treatment of insomnia. The patent on zolpidem is held by Sanofi-Aventis, a
Frenh pharmaceutical firm. Ambien has been known to cause a variety of side
effects, including sleepwalking, hallucinations, delusions, impairment of motor
coordination, and anterograde amnesia. In some cases, people taking Ambien have
been known to drive while in a sleepwalking state and cause accidents without
any memory of what happened. In a recent, highly publicized case, a U.S.
Congressman wrecked his car after having taken Ambien and claimed to have no
recollection of the accident. There are also reports of patients on Ambien
binge eating in their sleep, leading to excessive weight gain.
