?? Ambien & The Era When Women Were Absent from Clinical Trials
For decades, women were unknowingly overdosing on Ambien (Zolpidem) because they were prescribed the same dose as men—even though their bodies metabolize it more slowly. The result? Increased risk of next-morning impairment, car accidents, and cognitive fog.
Why did this happen? Because Ambien was tested in the early 1990s during the misogynistic era of clinical trials, when women were routinely excluded from medical research and their unique biology ignored. In 2013 FDA researchers identified the risks and changed the label to cut the recommended dose for women in half—but how many suffered before then? The FDA scientists who examine drug safety may also disappear.
?? And now it’s happening again. The Trump administration is refusing to enforce the NIH Revitalization Act, which mandates that women and minorities be represented appropriately in clinical trials. The administration has even removed online guidance for researchers about including diverse study subjects.
?? Women, your health is on the line. We cannot let outdated, gender-blind research dictate our treatments. CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TODAY. Demand that Congress force the Trump administration to enforce NIH policies and ensure that clinical trials reflect the realities of women’s health.
?? Find your representative: [www.house.gov/representatives](https://www.house.gov/representatives)
Your body is NOT an afterthought. Your health is NOT secondary. Stand up and demand better.
?? Tag a friend who needs to know this! Let’s make our voices heard.
#WomensHealth #ClinicalTrialsMatter #HealthEquity #MedicalResearch #CallToAction