Ambien is currently facing scrutiny due to comments made by Joe Biden regarding the use of sleep aids.
In a recent interview with YouTube host Andrew Callaghan, Hunter Biden suggested that sleep medications might have played a role in his father’s perceived cognitive difficulties during the first presidential debate in 2024.
“He’s 81 years old. He’s exhausted. They give him Ambien so he can get some sleep,” the former president’s son claimed. “He goes on stage and looks completely lost.
These statements have raised concerns about potential drug use by the former president, which some believe could be linked to issues with memory and fluctuations in mood throughout the day.
As noted by GoodRx, Ambien (or Zolpidem) is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia, but it is recommended only for short-term use.
More serious, albeit rare, side effects can include hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behaviors, and possibly an increased risk of dementia in older individuals.
Political reporter Salena Zito shared her thoughts on “Fox and Friends” the following day, emphasizing the implications of the president using Ambien.
“It’s quite concerning for someone who’s expected to respond to a crisis at any hour,” she remarked.
“It’s hard to imagine a doctor actually prescribing it to the president and keeping it quiet.”
Who should avoid Ambien?
The medication’s guidelines highlight that it may hinder tasks requiring full mental acuity, effects that can linger into the next day, such as driving.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises that pilots and crew refrain from flying within 24 hours after taking a sleep aid.
“Any available sleep aids, whether prescription or over-the-counter, can impair mental functions and reaction times, even if a person feels alert,” the FAA stated in its flying guidelines.
Users of this medication should avoid operating heavy machinery and motor vehicles for about 7-8 hours after taking Ambien, ideally until the next day, due to cognitive recovery delays.
Commercial truck drivers must also adhere to these guidelines. For those prescribed sleep aids, federal regulations require that medical inspectors evaluate the medication and obtain a doctor’s note to check if it affects safe vehicle operation.
Experts have cautioned various professionals, including law enforcement and health workers, about the risks of slower reaction times and the potential for cognitive impairment.
“Doctors might need to use sleep aids, but they’re not necessarily a solution for maintaining performance during medical procedures,” Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, explained.
In the military context, the Department of Defense mandates service members get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night for optimal readiness.
The DOD also cautions against the negative physiological and cognitive effects associated with sleep aids.
Fox News Digital reached out to Joe Biden’s representatives and Cosette Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Ambien, for their comments.
