Hunter Biden’s recent assertion that his father, former President Joe Biden, took the sleep aid Ambien—potentially contributing to apparent cognitive struggles during the 2024 presidential debates—has thrust the medication into the spotlight, with medical experts weighing in on its risks, particularly for older adults.
In an interview with YouTube host Andrew Callaghan released Monday, Hunter Biden addressed Joe Biden’s widely criticized performance in the June 27, 2024, debate, which was deemed “disastrous” and preceded the elder Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
He attributed his father’s deer-in-the-headlights demeanor to exhaustion and Ambien use, noting, “He’s 81 years old. He’s tired as s—. They give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on stage and he looks like he’s a deer in the headlights.”
Ambien, known generically as zolpidem, is a prescription insomnia drug intended for short-term use, according to GoodRx. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and blurred vision, while more severe risks—though rare—encompass memory issues, grogginess, hallucinations, abnormal behavior, and a potential increased dementia risk in older adults.
The medication can also cause daytime confusion, especially when combined with alcohol or other sedatives like benzodiazepines or opioids.
Experts emphasize heightened risks for those 65 and older. “Ambien is not a great drug for the elderly,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News senior medical analyst, citing risks of falls, altered behavior, and oversedation.
While he acknowledged Ambien can cause confusion or hallucinations, Siegel noted uncertainty about Joe Biden’s alleged use: “We don’t have a verifiable source,” he said, adding that if taken the night before, the drug should have worn off by debate time, and pre-debate use would be medically ill-advised.
Dr. Michaela Robbins, a board-certified nurse practitioner, echoed concerns about older adults, stating, “Ambien use can absolutely cause the type of confusion that Biden appeared to experience.” She referenced studies linking short-term use to delirium and long-term use to cognitive decline in geriatric populations, calling Ambien “problematic and inappropriate” for older individuals, especially when combined with other drugs.
Robbins advocated for alternative insomnia treatments, emphasizing, “From a longevity perspective, there are better interventions with fewer health risks and less mental impairment.”
As discussions continue, the debate over Ambien’s role in Joe Biden’s performance underscores broader questions about medication safety for older adults—and the need for rigorous medical assessment before prescribing such drugs.
READ MORE
Summer COVID Cases Rising: Should You Get a Vaccine?
Fluoride supplements for kids: FDA faces legal scrutiny
Probiotics Show Promise in Enhancing Sleep Quality for Insomnia Sufferers
