Ashwin Lewis
In 2018, Roseanne Barr, the star of the popular sitcom *Roseanne*, made racist comments about Valerie Jarrett, an African-American former aide to Barack Obama, in a series of tweets. Barr later deleted the tweets and blamed the sleep drug Ambien (also known as zolpidem) for her actions, claiming that she was Ambien tweeting. While Ambien has been associated with a host of side effects, including sleepwalking, binge eating, and sleep sex, its manufacturer Sanofi has stated that racism is not a known side effect of the drug.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Ambien |
| Generic Name | Zolpidem |
| Drug Family | Z-Drug |
| Use | Sleep medication |
| Side Effects | Sleepwalking, binge eating, driving, amnesia, blackouts, sleep sex, hallucinations, decreased inhibition, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, diarrhea, abnormal thinking, behavioral changes, tolerance, dependence, confusion, falls, tolerance, dependence |
| FDA Recommendation | Lower dose from 10mg to 5mg |
| Safety | Not safe for long-term use; should be prescribed for a maximum of 6 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Roseanne Barr's racist tweet
In May 2018, Roseanne Barr, the star of the ABC sitcom "Roseanne", posted a series of racist tweets. Barr falsely claimed that Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, had connections to the "Muslim Brotherhood". In the tweet, Barr stated that Jarrett, who is Black, was the offspring of the "Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes". Barr's tweet caused widespread backlash, leading to the cancellation of her show and her eventual departure from the social media platform.
Barr initially apologised for her comments, tweeting that she was ""Ambien tweeting"" and that her actions were "indefensible". She also apologised during an interview with Sean Hannity, saying that she was sorry for the poorly worded tweet. Barr insisted that she did not know Jarrett was Black and that her tweet was meant to address U.S.-Middle Eastern policy rather than make racist comments. She also brought up her support for President Donald Trump, stating that she and other Trump supporters are not racist.
Despite her apologies, many people, including the maker of Ambien, were critical of Barr's attempt to blame the drug for her racist tweet. Sanofi, the company that makes Ambien, tweeted that "racism is not a known side effect" of their medication. They added that people of diverse backgrounds work at Sanofi to improve the lives of people worldwide. While Ambien has been linked to unusual behaviour, including sleepwalking, binge eating, and driving while asleep, it is unlikely that racism can be considered a side effect of the drug.
The controversy surrounding Barr's racist tweet and her attempt to blame Ambien sparked discussions about the potential side effects of the drug. Some people defended Barr, arguing that she was not the first person to exhibit bizarre behaviour while under the influence of Ambien. However, experts have warned that Ambien can impair activities, especially driving, and recommended lowering the dosage to minimise these risks.
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Ambien (Zolpidem)
In 2018, Roseanne Barr, the star of the popular sitcom *Roseanne*, blamed a racist tweet on the prescription sleep medication Ambien (Zolpidem). In the tweet, Barr compared Valerie Jarrett, an African-American former aide to President Barack Obama, to an ape. Barr later deleted the tweet and apologised, but not before the incident led to the cancellation of her show and her being dropped by her talent agency.
Ambien is a sedative pill used as a sleep aid and is also known as a "Z-drug". It is the American tradename for Zolpidem, a commonly used "hypnotic" sleeping tablet. In the UK, it is known as Stilnoct. Zolpidem is part of a group of medications called sedative-hypnotics designed to help people sleep. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992.
Ambien has been linked to a range of side effects, including sleepwalking, binge eating, driving, amnesia, and sleep sex. It can also cause hallucinations, with patients reporting hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there. Some patients have reported a psychotic-like state, feeling paralysed, and experiencing violent nightmares. The FDA has expressed concern over how Ambien can impair activities, especially driving, and has recommended lowering the dose. While the drug manufacturer Sanofi acknowledges that all pharmaceutical treatments have side effects, they have stated that "racism is not a known side effect" of Ambien.
Roseanne Barr is not the first celebrity to claim that Ambien led to bizarre behaviour. Actor John Stamos and Charlie Sheen have also tweeted about the drug's effects. Additionally, it has been used as a defence in legal cases, although doctors have disputed the validity of these claims.
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Ambien side effects
In 2018, Roseanne Barr blamed a racist tweet on the prescription sleep medication Ambien (also known as zolpidem). While Ambien's maker, Sanofi, acknowledged that "all pharmaceutical treatments have side effects", they were also quick to point out that "racism is not a known side effect" of the drug.
Indeed, Ambien has been associated with a wide range of side effects, from the relatively benign to the potentially fatal. The drug is intended for short-term use, and the risk of dependence increases with longer-term usage (more than 10 nights). Case reports suggest that Ambien may be misused when taken at higher doses, even by those with no prior history of substance misuse.
Some of the milder side effects of Ambien include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and diarrhoea. More seriously, the drug can cause abnormal thinking and changes in behaviour, including decreased inhibition similar to the effects of alcohol, bizarre behaviour, agitation, and depersonalisation. Visual and auditory hallucinations have also been reported.
One of the most concerning side effects of Ambien is the potential for complex sleep behaviours, where a person may get up and perform activities without being fully awake, including sleepwalking, sleep-driving, sleep-cooking, binge eating, and even sleep-tweeting. These behaviours can carry a risk of serious injury or death to oneself or others. Other adverse effects include memory impairment, confusion, and a heightened risk of dementia, cancer, and death, although more research is needed to understand these risks. Ambien may also worsen depression or suicidal thoughts and behaviours, especially in individuals with pre-existing depression.
The combination of Ambien with other substances, particularly opioids and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. The FDA has expressed concern over how Ambien can impair activities requiring alertness, such as driving, and has recommended lowering the dosage to minimise these risks.
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Other celebrities blaming Ambien
Roseanne Barr is not the only celebrity to have blamed the sleep medication Ambien for their behaviour. In 2010, Charlie Sheen said that Ambien was responsible for him trashing a hotel room in New York City. In an interview with news show 20/20 the following year, Sheen explained that "Ambien, the devil's aspirin! I think that led to that thing in New York. That was the one thing in the mix that was not part of my normal blend".
In 2017, Sean Penn preemptively blamed Ambien for any disruptive behaviour he might display during his appearance on the Late Show. Elon Musk also blamed the drug for erratic public declarations, telling the New York Times: "It is often a choice of no sleep or Ambien".
Ambien was found in Tiger Woods's system when he was arrested for a DUI in 2017. Woods said that prescription medication was to blame. The drug was also found in his system after police discovered him asleep in his car in the middle of a highway.
Former House Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy has also blamed Ambien for a car crash, saying he took the drug shortly before crashing his car into a barricade. Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, has also blamed Ambien for a drugged-driving incident.
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Cancellation of Roseanne
In May 2018, ABC announced the cancellation of the popular sitcom *Roseanne*, which had been a significant ratings success for the network. This decision came as a response to a controversial tweet sent by Roseanne Barr, the show's creator and star, who has a history of making offensive and racist statements on social media. The particular tweet that led to the show's cancellation was widely condemned as racist. In it, Barr made a racist comment about Valerie Jarrett, an African American woman who served as a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama. Barr's tweet compared Jarrett to an ape, which invoked racist imagery and stereotypes with a long history in the United States.
The backlash to Barr's tweet was immediate and intense. Many of her colleagues, other celebrities, and the general public condemned her statement. ABC quickly responded to the growing outrage by canceling *Roseanne*, despite its recent renewal for a second season following a successful revival of the original series. ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey released a statement announcing the cancellation, describing Barr's tweet as "abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values."
The cancellation of *Roseanne* highlighted the power that public outrage can have in influencing network decisions. It also sparked discussions about the responsibility of public figures, especially those with a large platform, to use their influence thoughtfully and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discriminatory ideas. Some commentators also questioned whether canceling the show was an appropriate response, debating the ethics of punishing an entire cast and crew for the actions of one person.
Following the cancellation, Barr blamed the offensive tweet on her use of Ambien, a sleep aid known for causing strange side effects in some users, including bizarre behavior while asleep or awake. Sanofi, the manufacturer of Ambien, quickly responded to Barr's claim, stating, "Racism is not a known side effect of any Sanofi medication." This response added humor to an otherwise serious situation and further emphasized the inappropriate nature of Barr's comment.
The controversy also brought attention to the issue of celebrity influence and responsibility in the era of social media. Many public figures and celebrities have found themselves in similar situations, facing intense backlash for controversial or offensive statements made online. The incident served as a reminder that social media provides a direct and powerful platform for public figures to connect with their audience, but also comes with a responsibility to use that influence with care and respect.
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Frequently asked questions
Roseanne Barr took the prescription sleep medication Ambien, also known as zolpidem.
Roseanne Barr posted a series of racist tweets about Valerie Jarrett, an African-American former aide to President Obama.
ABC cancelled Roseanne's sitcom and issued an apology to Valerie Jarrett. Barr's talent agency ICM Partners also dropped her as a client.
Ambien is known to cause a range of side effects, including sleepwalking, sleep-eating, sleep-driving, amnesia, hallucinations, and abnormal thinking and behavioural changes.
