Q. I need help getting off Ambien. I have discovered that I am driving, cleaning the house, cooking and eating while I am “sleeping” after taking this pill.
How can I get a decent night’s sleep without a drug like Ambien? Without sleep, I feel like death warmed over, so I am desperate.
A. You are not the only one to discover that zolpidem (Ambien) can lead to unplanned night time activities, including sleepwalking, sleep driving and sleep sex. Several readers have been arrested for DUI after driving in their zolpidem-induced sleep.
Although the FDA has reduced the recommended dose of zolpidem for women, some people will still benefit from non-drug approaches to overcoming insomnia. Our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep provides information on herbs and supplements such as chamomile, lemon balm, magnesium, passionflower or valerian.