Sleep Driving

March 9, 2006

Sleeping pills -- they're supposed to help you get to sleep.

The problem is some people aren't staying asleep.

They're getting up in the middle of the night, driving around in their pajamas, getting arrested and don't even remember getting out of bed.

Tracie Potts reports on this developing phenomenon some call "sleep driving."

A Georgia man faces six traffic charges after a five-minute slow-speed joyride. His attorney says the man had "no recollection of getting up, dressing, driving until he was face-to-face with a police officer."

William Head, Atlanta Attorney, says, "He doesn't know how he got there, why he was driving, where he's been, what he hit. He's clueless about how it happened."

The client had three drinks hours earlier. But his attorney blames the blackout on two sleeping pills.

Laura Liddicoat, Wisconsin State Toxicologist, says, "Officers are actually confused and baffled, because the person appears extremely intoxicated for alcohol, but the test comes back negative."

Many ambien-affected drivers do drink and the drug's manufacturer warns against that. But there are reports of sleep-driving with sleeping pills alone and no alcohol.

Marck Mahowald, Sleep Disorder Center, says, "Sleeping medication sare occasionally used in combination with alcohol, but either one alone can serve as a trigger for these behaviors

Ambien's label warns of rare episodes of sleepwalking. Its manufacturer says "... Although sleepwalking may occur" with Ambien "it may not necessarily be caused by it." Ambien has helped millions overcome insomnia -- even air force pilots use it. But doctors warn users to read the fine print... To avoid dangerous situations they may never remember.. And never forget.

In 2004, the FDA reportedly received nearly 50 reports of problems with ambien. There are currently no plans to change its label or restrict its use. Tracie Potts, Iowa's Channel Seven.

Information courtesy of http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?s=4610743