This article reports on how the FDA will be requiring makers of sleep drugs to warn users about the possible side-effect of sleep-driving — the act of getting up out of bed and driving your car, with no knowledge of or memory of the behavior. The article also references the episode of Patrick Kennedy’s “sleep-driving” last May when he took Ambien and Phenargen and drove his car into a barrier near The Capitol. From the article:

First, the makers of 13 sleep drugs must put warnings on their labels about two rare but serious side effects:

Sleep-driving, along with other less dangerous “complex sleep-related behaviors� — like making phone calls, fixing and eating food, and having sex while still asleep.

Life-threatening allergic reactions, as well as severe facial swelling, both of which can occur either the first time the pills are taken or anytime thereafter.

Next, doctors this week will begin getting letters notifying them of the new warnings.

Later this year, all prescription sleeping pills will begin coming with special brochures called “Medication Guides� that spell out the risks for patients in easy-to-understand language.

Sleep-driving made headlines last May when Kennedy crashed his car into a security barrier outside the U.S. Capitol after taking Ambien and a second drug, Phenergan, which also acts as a sedative. He has said he had no memory of the event.