Tom Brokaw hospitalized, says he mistakenly took Ambien

[Updated at 1:19 p.m.: Tom Brokaw, the veteran NBC News correspondent, has been discharged from a Charlotte, N.C., hospital where he was taken earlier Thursday after he reported feeling lightheaded.

Brokaw, 72, said he’d mistakenly taken an Ambien on the same morning he was making an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

NBC News President Steve Capus released a statement updating the public on Brokaw’s condition. “After medical evaluation and a round of tests, Tom was pronounced in great health and has been discharged,” the statement said. “We’re immensely grateful to the team at Carolinas Medical Center for their excellent care and professionalism.”]

NBC News special correspondent Tom Brokaw was hospitalized Thursday morning after he said he mistakenly took Ambien.

Brokaw was taken to a Charlotte, N.C., hospital following an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

NBC reported that Brokaw felt “lightheaded” on the set. “Out of an abundance of caution, he was taken to a hospital. He is being evaluated, is in good spirits, and is expected to be released shortly,” NBC News President Steve Capus said in a statement released to the media.

For his part, Brokaw appeared to sheepishly joke about the incident.

He tweeted: “All is well. Early AM I mistakenly took a half dose of Ambien and made less sense than usual. Made a better comeback than Giants...”

But the newsman didn’t explain: How do you “mistakenly” take an Ambien? (Ambien is a prescription medication typically used to treat insomnia.)

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