Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLunesta vs. AmbienWhat Is Insomnia?How Effective Is Lunesta vs. Ambien for InsomniaSafetyIs Lunesta vs. Ambien Good for Me?Choosing Between Lunesta and AmbienAlternative Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lunesta vs. Ambien
What Is Insomnia?
How Effective Is Lunesta vs. Ambien for Insomnia
Safety
Is Lunesta vs. Ambien Good for Me?
Choosing Between Lunesta and Ambien
Alternative Treatments
Lunesta (eszopiclone) and Ambien (zolpidem) are prescription medications commonly used to treat insomnia (difficulty sleeping). They are both non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Though they have many similarities, there are some distinctions, including dosage forms, dosage, and how long they take to work. Ambien is likely better for people who mainly have trouble falling asleep since it acts quickly but doesn’t last for as long. Lunesta is suitable for people who have trouble falling and staying asleep.
FDA Warning
If you take one of these medications and don’t remember things you have done, stop taking the medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away.
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
Though Lunesta and Ambien are both used for insomnia, there are some distinctions to keep in mind in terms of dosage forms, side effects, and effectiveness.
Here’s a summary to help you weed through similarities and differences between these medicines.
There are two maintypes of insomnia:
Many factors can increase the risk of insomnia. Some of these include the following:
Before taking sleep medications, getting to the root cause of a sleep disturbance is important. Your healthcare provider can help guide you to a treatment plan that addresses the cause of your insomnia.
The most effective sleep aid for you, at least in part, depends on which aspect of your sleep is disrupted.
Ambien is better for people with trouble falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia). This is because it acts quickly and doesn’t stay in the body as long as other sleep medicines do.
Lunesta is better for people who have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep (sleep-maintenance insomnia). It has a longer half-life in the body than Ambien, meaning it acts for a longer period. Lower doses of 1 to 2 mg are helpful for falling asleep, while higher doses of up to 3 mg are best for staying asleep.
Ambien CR is an alternative to Lunesta for people who have trouble staying asleep.
Interactions and Contraindications
There are some critical drug interactions and precautions to keep in mind if you decide to take either Lunesta or Ambien. Some of these include:
Your healthcare providers and pharmacists are excellent resources for personalized advice on medication interactions. Tell them about all the medications and supplements you take for optimal safety.
In addition, there are safety considerations to keep in mind before starting a sleep medicine like Ambien or Lunesta.
These medicines have precautions for specific populations. They are more risky for people who are in one of the following groups:
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing between Lunesta and Ambien. Some of these include:
Before starting Lunesta or Ambien, discuss your options with healthcare providers. Make a plan to monitor how well the medicine works for you and what to do if you experience side effects. Your healthcare provider can help you adjust your treatment plan based on effectiveness and tolerability.
Before taking a prescription sleep aid, there are some practical techniques to try first. Some of these include:
If these interventions aren’t successful, there are other medication options besides Lunesta or Ambien. If these aren’t for you because of side effects or for another reason, a different medication or supplement may help.
Some to consider include:
Summary
Ambien and Lunesta are common prescription medications used to treat insomnia.
Though they have many similarities, there are some distinctions. A few important ones:
Your healthcare provider can help you decide if Ambien or Lunesta is best for you. Both of these medicines can cause serious side effects, including drowsiness, drug dependence, and dangerous sleep behaviors like sleepwalking or sleep driving. They should be used with caution during pregnancy. Older people and those with liver problems should take a lower dose of Ambien or Lunesta.
Before starting a sleep medicine, consider sleep hygiene tips and CBT, which has been shown to help insomnia without causing side effects.
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