US wants stronger warnings on sleeping pills

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US Federal Drug Administration called Wednesday for popular sleeping pills such as Ambien and Lunesta to carry stronger warnings of dangerous potential side-effects like allergic reactions and sleep-driving.

The move comes a year after US lawmaker Patrick Kennedy, son of veteran Senator Ted Kennedy, crashed his car into a barrier near the US Capitol in Washington in the early morning hours and, after later saying he did not remember what happened that night, blamed it on strong prescription sedatives.

The FDA said it had asked manufacturers of 13 sedative-hypnotic sleep aids to revise product labeling to warn consumers of the possible risk of anaphylaxis -- a severe allergic reaction -- and severe facial swelling.

It also asked them to...