UPDATE 2-Kennedy case puts Ambien again under spotlight

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-05-05T213414Z_01_N05437139_RTRIDST_0_PEOPLE-KENNEDY-AMBIEN-UPDATE-2.XML

CHICAGO, May 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy's statement that he used Sanofi-Aventis's sleep drug Ambien to explain how he was involved in a late-night car crash has revived questions over whether the drug causes side effects like sleepwalking and binge eating.

The Rhode Island Democrat had also taken the prescription anti-nausea drug phenergan before crashing his car into a security barrier in Washington early on Thursday morning. No one was hurt in the incident, but Kennedy said on Friday he was checking himself into a program for further treatment of a chronic addiction to prescription pain pills.

"I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by police or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy told a news conference. "I am deeply concerned about my reaction to the medication and my lack of knowledge of the accident that evening."

On Thursday, Kennedy said that after a series of votes on Wednesday night he took the prescribed amount of phenergan, which treats gastroenteritis, as well as Ambien. He said he had not consumed alcohol.

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"We are seeing pretty extreme expressions of sleepwalking -- like getting into a car and driving," said Michel Cramer-Bornemann, a researcher at the clinic. "And when we remove the Ambien, it is resolved."

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Mods: I realize there is Patrick Kennedy thread regarding him going into rehab. This changes the story focus - to the efficacy of the drugs that were prescribed instead of some "drug problem". Do as you will and thanks for all you do. UIA