Ambien psychosis?

[Cat_RN]

This past month I have had two patients with serious adverse effects of taking zolpidem (Ambien). Both A/O normally who became apparently psychotic, one violent and completely out of control (requiring sheriffs and the Baker act), and another, an end of life pt who became convinced that she had killed someone years ago and was repeatedly calling 911 because she wanted to turn herself in because of 'immense guilt'. She was awake and seemingly totally lucid, called 911 3x, called her daughter begging her to get the police for her because she needed to confess to this murder... I was sure the police were going to come and that she would tell them what she "did" and they'd arrest her. Both patients 'woke up' from these events hours later, not remembering why any of it happened or what made them do it. Ambien was attributed to be the causing factor in each incident.

I've searched this site for Ambien related topics but couldn't find any regarding these nightmares and psychotic behaviors people report. Maybe it is just coincidence that in the past month I've had two really bad cases with Ambien in patients who are alert and oriented? Does anyone else have any experiences with this?

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

March 17 2013 my fiance shot me 5 times and committed suicide. He said my name before the first shot. He was in a Ambien Psychotic state after overdosing on the drug. 4 months prior he also took too much Ambien (to sleep and deal with stress) and he was completely lucid and not aggressive to me. He just went outside in sleep clothes and began falling down over and over. I had to call 911. Little did I know then of the violence and death that would come just a few months later. AMBIEN SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET.

This is tragic, I am so sorry Charlotte. Unfortunately in your fiance's case, this was due to inappropriate use of Ambien, the same story could have happened with inappropriate use of alcohol or hydrocodone or any number of other substances easily available.

I am concerned about inappropriate behaviors that happen at approved doses. I've seen ambien psychosis both in practice and in person. I believe it should be dispensed much more carefully but I believe it should be available.

Interesting side-effect to ambien;

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/magazine/can-ambien-wake-minimally-conscious.html?pagewanted=all

[LakeEmerald]

Fascinating article, Tiffy. Charlotte, so sorry to hear about this terrible situation. I wish you healing.

[charlottejones]

Tiffy, thank you and I'm sorry too. Thanks for the clarification on substance abuse......and the article. So very interesting.

[charlottejones]

Thank you LakeEmerald. Taking it minute by minute......we were together 13 years.

[Retired APRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I was given ambien during my first series of chemotherapy. I apparently wandered around the house a lot while on it, but had no memories of it in the morning. One day I received a package from a friend abroad who had sent me a nightgown. Over the next several days, more nightgowns arrived from various friends abroad. It turned out that one night on Ambien I started calling friends all over the world and telling them I urgently needed a white cotton nightgown, floor length with short sleeves.

I no longer take Ambien and do not give it as a first option.