Summary Box: FDA cuts Ambien dose over safety risk
Summary Box: FDA cuts dosage for Ambien and related sleeping pills to prevent drowsiness
WAKEUP CALL: The Food and Drug Administration ordered makers of Ambien and related drugs to cut their dose in half to prevent morning sluggishness caused by the popular insomnia treatment.
DRIVING ACCIDENTS: The agency said it has received reports of driving accidents caused by the drugs for years. But recently one drugmaker performed the first studies measuring patients' driving ability while taking various drug doses.
SLEEP ALTERNATIVES: The FDA action only affects medicines containing the drug zolpidem. Other popular sleeping drugs like Lunesta and Sonata contain different drugs.
