Posted on 05/14/2006 9:48:55 AM PDT by Liz
A growing number of city high-school and college kids are popping Ambien - the drug Rep. Patrick Kennedy blamed, in part, on his car crash - not to sleep, but to party.
The insomnia medication, known as "zombie pills," "tic-tacs" and "A-minus," has become popular at house parties and nightclubs....illegally sold by Internet drugstores, peddled outside Big Apple nightclubs and even bartered on Craigslist.
One desperate user offered his X-rated DVDs. "You give me Ambien, I'll give you porn," he wrote. At the street price of $5 a pill, young people are gobbling Ambien for relaxation, euphoria and hallucinations.
Partyers also take Ambien with booze, pot and other pills - a dangerous combination, doctors say - to get a stronger high.
The "zombie" fad worries doctors. "I have patients who abuse Ambien to get a buzz," said Dr. Richard Frances, a NYU psychiatry professor......
The sleeping pill is the target of a growing class-action lawsuit in Manhattan federal court that claims the pills caused bizarre "zombie-like" behavior - including reckless driving and binge eating.
Kennedy blamed Ambien as a factor in his May 5 crash in D.C.
.......... said lawyer Susan Chana Lask, who represents 500 in the suit. "Many burn their hands on the stove, eat weird things - one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels - and have wild sex with their spouses or other people."
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Parest 400s were the best! Not that I know anything about them either!
The FDA MUST take action on this stuff...it's unnatural! ;-)
My friend tells me that one patient of hers has to be sure to be in bed and not take it in the bathroom since it knocks her out so fast she hasn't made it to bed sometimes. I found it hard to believe, but I've heard it from many people that it acts fast! The thing that gets me is the warning that if you take it without having a full night's sleep afterwards, it can cause amnesia.
Geez, are there any parents anymore controling their kids?
"sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels" hmmm
Thanks very much, but, I'll stick to the ole reliable "peanut butter, honey, banana, butter,and bacon sandwich".
Another thread is pointing out how trazodone (an older drug that costs far less since it's now generic) is equally effective, without such side-effects. Trazodone doesn't work for everyone, but it sounds like a better place to start. The problem is, patients see the marketing for Ambien and ask for the latest thing rather than try what might work just as well. On the other hand, there's that pesky priapism side-effect that can occur with trazodone.
IOW, body chemistry and pharmacology are far too complex for lawyers. :-)
If that sandwich is fried, it must be Elvis posting. LOL.
Yeah, but ambien is easily taxable!!!!
The only $$$ in MJ is in its illicit trade!
I had big trouble with Ambien, and will never take it again! Almost burnt my house down while sleepwalking/cooking.
Body chemistry, Pharmacology, logic, calculus, algebra, geometry, thermodynamics and compassion are issues that are too complicated for lawyers.
If lawyers had a handle on any of these things, they could have grown up to be something useful, like doctors, engineers, clergymen, mechanics, bus drivers and garbage men.
The classic Bob Hope zombie/democrat clip
They are just Partying like a Kennedy.
Big Teddy'splane was hit by lightening....a message from God?
The old Mean Green Jellybean's were pretty damn good.
Just Sayin... (Continuing to whistle innocently)
Hmmmm....Qualudes....
Damn I miss the 70s.
I had a script for them from a pill-pusher doc. I didn't like them cuz they made me numb, and being a musician, I couldn't play at all if I took one. I gave 'em all away. Mostly to young, beautiful women! So, there was some benefit to havin' that script!
How is taking a prescription drug (Ambein) exactly as prescribed considered abusing it? You do not have to abuse it to have a strange reaction to it.
;)
My parents were wonderful...they really were. But I still did really stupid, dangerous things...ALOT.
Or perhaps "gives them an excuse for having done the things they wanted to do anyway"...
Thanks-----great movie.
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