Ambien Ups Risk of Falling in Elderly

The elderly are often unsteady on their feet – but it might not be anything to do with getting old.  One of the world’s most popular sleeping pills could be the unsuspected culprit, researchers have discovered this week.

Zolpidem – which is found in many prescription sleeping drugs, such as Ambiencauses a loss of balance and unsteadiness even several hours after waking up.


Zolpidem causes a “significant loss of balance” in around 58 per cent of elderly people.