The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that some popular
sleeping pills may cause users to operate vehicles while sleeping. This
strange side effect could afflict users of Ambien and Lunesta, both of
which are widely prescribed. Sleep-driving, the FDA says, could be
accompanied by other actions such as dialing the phone or eating a meal,
all occurring while the user is still asleep.
The FDA is also ordering the makers of sleeping-pill products —
including Ambien, Dalmane, Halcion, Lunesta, Restoril and Rozerem — to
provide better warnings, so users will be aware of potentially dangerous
side effects.
