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Does Ambien Cause Memory Problems?

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Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2015
Question: I have been on Ambien for many years and have never had any side effects. Why does my doctor refuse to prescribe it for me anymore? I am 66 years old, have an auto immune disease that makes me itch all over and also had bi-lateral total knee replacement in 2004. My knees are good until the barometric pressure goes up or down...they swell or tighten and very painful to fall asleep. With Ambien I sleep very good. But why does my doctor say that because it has a lot of side effects, he won't prescribe them for me any more. Why is everyone lumped into one category of over 65 and not allowed to have this medicine which has helped me have 7-8 hours of good sleep? Thanks. My name is XXXXXXX
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Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Ambien is known to cause memory problems

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

I can understand your concern. Ambien is Zolpidem and the drug belongs to Z drugs of hypnotic drugs. It is one of commonly used drug in patients of sleep problems. The drug is safe to use and is free of serious side effects, but prolonged use is known to cause tolerance and dependence. It's use for long time especially in patients of more than 60 years age is known to cause impairment of cognitive functions and memory problems. The drug is also known to cause falls in night which can increase risk of trauma. This is the reason they have advised you to not to take this drug.

If Trazodone has caused side effects then other drugs which are relatively safer can be tried like Mirtazapine or Doxepine. Both these drugs help to induce good sleep without changing sleep architecture. Antipsychotics in low doses especially Quetiapine can also help you. The drug can help in sleep and this will also minimise withdrawal from Ambien. Please visit some good GP and discuss about the drugs I have mentioned.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Does Ambien Cause Memory Problems?

Brief Answer: Ambien is known to cause memory problems Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic I can understand your concern. Ambien is Zolpidem and the drug belongs to Z drugs of hypnotic drugs. It is one of commonly used drug in patients of sleep problems. The drug is safe to use and is free of serious side effects, but prolonged use is known to cause tolerance and dependence. It's use for long time especially in patients of more than 60 years age is known to cause impairment of cognitive functions and memory problems. The drug is also known to cause falls in night which can increase risk of trauma. This is the reason they have advised you to not to take this drug. If Trazodone has caused side effects then other drugs which are relatively safer can be tried like Mirtazapine or Doxepine. Both these drugs help to induce good sleep without changing sleep architecture. Antipsychotics in low doses especially Quetiapine can also help you. The drug can help in sleep and this will also minimise withdrawal from Ambien. Please visit some good GP and discuss about the drugs I have mentioned. Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.