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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Taking Ambien For Sleeplessness Cause Side Effects?

I heard the FDA has come out with a warning regarding people over 50 years old should not take ambien. Is that true? I have taken ambien to help me sleep for a while now, not every single night and I don t feel I am addicted, but this is the first I have heard of this.
Mon, 16 May 2016
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Dentist 's  Response
Hello,

You are correct in what you have heard. Ambien causes higher chances of falls in elderly resulting in fractures, confusion etc. Thus, Medicare has put the drug in its 'do not use' list. FDA also warns against its use.

As you are not the regular user of the drug and not addicted to it, I would advise you to use other methods of sleeping like quiet clean room, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine etc. or you can switch to Benzodiazepam group after discussing with your primary care physician.

I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have follo up questions.

Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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Does Taking Ambien For Sleeplessness Cause Side Effects?

Hello, You are correct in what you have heard. Ambien causes higher chances of falls in elderly resulting in fractures, confusion etc. Thus, Medicare has put the drug in its do not use list. FDA also warns against its use. As you are not the regular user of the drug and not addicted to it, I would advise you to use other methods of sleeping like quiet clean room, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine etc. or you can switch to Benzodiazepam group after discussing with your primary care physician. I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have follo up questions. Best, Dr. Viraj Shah