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Article: Effect of zolpidem on driving ability.(EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINE)
- Article from:
- Clinical Psychiatry News
- Article date:
- April 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The Problem
You step into an established practice. Some patients are prescribed zolpidem (Ambien) nightly, and many have used it in this manner for months. You are concerned about your patients' driving safety since the manufacturer recommends limiting use to 7 or 10 days and providing only a 1-month supply.
The Question
What risk does zolpidem pose on impairing driving ability, and is this risk affected by providing continuous 1-month supplies?
The Analysis
Our Medline search combined "zolpidem" and "daytime sedation, car crash, motor vehicle crash, motor vehicle accident, simulated driving" or "impairment."
The ...