There have been recent reports that Ambien, the number one sleeping aid today, causes sleepwalking, sleep-eating and sleep-driving.

Sanofi-Avnetis, the pharmaceutical company that makes Ambien, says these events are rare but I wanted to take a closer look after two of my patients reported sleepwalking about three hours after taking the drug.

Sleepwalking includes any activity done while one is asleep. The sleepwalker is hard to arouse and when awake has no memory of the their activity. Children are the most likely to sleepwalk. Sleepwalking usually happens in the deep sleep part of the sleep cycle.

Now the question is, does Ambien increase the possibility that a person will sleepwalk, sleep-eat or sleep-drive?

Some think is does because it increase the time spent in deep sleep. After taking Ambien, people have driven miles while still asleep and some report nightly eating episodes that have led to huge weight gains.

The risk of sleep walking and other activities after Ambien may be increased by fatigue, alcohol and stress.

Before considering any sleeping pill, try the natural route:

• Exercise, preferably in the morning
• Avoid caffeine
• Go to bed and get up at regular times
• Get enough sleep
• Have a relaxation routine at bedtime