AMBIEN TIED TO ALZHEIMER’S – WHAT THEY KNEW, WHEN THEY KNEW IT

Insomnia is a difficult condition that impacts all areas of your life. Not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep can leave you feeling tired, cranky and makes it hard to think clearly. Ambien may have seemed like a good choice to get you that much needed rest, but now many studies are showing that there is a clear link between Ambien and Alzheimer’s disease.

WHAT THEY KNEW

Ambien (zolpidem) was approved by the FDA in 1992. Since this medication has been on the market for a while, there have been several studies conducted showing the long term effects on patients and one of the biggest concerns involves the increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. For example, one study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that patients who had more than 91 doses of benzodiazepine were 50% more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over the following six years than those who took less doses. (Ambien is classified as nonbenzodiazepine, but while their molecular composition is different, they modulate GABA receptors in the brain binding to the benzodiazepine site therefore creating similar results and risks.)

An additional study took place in Taiwan where scientists monitored the health records of newly diagnosed dementia patients 65 years and older. They stated that, “Zolpidem alone or with other underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and stroke, was significantly associated with dementia.”

A third study was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine and researchers analyzed 3,434 men and women aged 65 and over for around seven years. They discovered that those who were taking anticholinergic drug increased their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 63%.

WHEN THEY KNEW IT

These studies took place in 2014, 2015 and 2015, respectively. However, even with the evidence supporting the fact that there is a definite link between Ambien and Alzheimer’s, there is no warning to educate doctors and patients about the possibility of the increased risk of dementia associated with this medication. Moreover, Ambien is one of the most prescribed drugs in America (it was #12 in 2016), so this danger inevitably impacts millions of patients.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you or a loved one took Ambien after 1992 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may be eligible for compensation. You possibly have accumulated high medical bills for the additional care needed or you might have had to quit your job to take care of a loved one. Contact us today to see if we’re able to help you make a claim.

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