{"id":353195,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/ambien-faq.html"},"modified":"2025-09-23T12:37:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:37:00","slug":"ambien-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/ambien-faq.html","title":{"rendered":"Ambien: Legal Information and FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ambien: Legal Information and FAQ<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Sanofi-Aventis<\/span> has a legal duty to warn consumers of Ambien\u2019s known risks, including rare but serious side effects<\/span> like sleepwalking<\/span> and memory loss<\/span>. Despite FDA<\/span> approval, adverse reactions have led to increased scrutiny and potential liability.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ambien is a prescription sleep medication<\/span> used to treat\u00a0insomnia\u00a0and other sleep problems. Sanofi-Aventis<\/span> designed Ambien as an alternative to traditional sleeping pills<\/span>. The medication guide for Ambien identified the drug as a\u00a0central nervous system depressant<\/a>\u00a0or a “zolpidem<\/span>\u00a0product.”<\/p>\n

While Ambien is the brand name for this medication, the generic drug is known as zolpidem<\/span> tartrate<\/span><\/a>. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/span> (FDA<\/span>) first approved Ambien in 1999. Sanofi-Aventis<\/span> U.S. LLC manufactures and distributes the drug.<\/p>\n

This article outlines risks, side effects<\/span>, and legal information for Ambien. You\u2019ll also find answers to common questions about the drug\u2019s usage and safety concerns.<\/p>\n

Pharmaceutical companies<\/span> have a legal responsibility to ensure their medications carry adequate warnings and are safe to use. If you have suffered a serious injury<\/span> after using Ambien or another prescription drug, you may have a personal injury claim<\/span>. Contact an attorney near you<\/a> for legal advice<\/span> and next steps.<\/p>\n

Is Ambien a Safe Sleep Drug<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

In most cases, Ambien is safe if you use it as your doctor instructs. However, the drug does have a significant impact on your central nervous system. You may still suffer side effects<\/span> even if you take the proper dose.<\/p>\n

Some changes in patients taking Ambien<\/span> are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme\u2014such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations <\/a>(seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any of these side effects<\/span>:<\/p>\n