Sleeplessness is very common in adults. Individuals in their 20s and 30s are suffering from a condition called insomnia, which means a lack of sleep or failing to fall asleep easily at times. When you visit a doctor to treat insomnia then the most common drug that will be suggested is Ambien or Lunesta. Both medications are used for insomnia, but they work a little differently. So, most people start searching for which works better, Ambien or Lunesta, to know which is the best for them. In Today’s blog, we will differentiate between Ambien vs Lunesta. So you can choose between them to improve your sleep quality easily.
Ambien vs Lunesta: Key Difference Between Strength, Potency, and Drug Interaction
Definition of Ambien
Ambien is a sedative also called a Z drug. It is used to treat people having trouble to sleep. It is sold and purchased under the brand name of Zolpidem, which is a short-term medication used to treat insomnia. Ambien works by slowing down the brain activity, which allows the system to sleep. It does this by affecting the gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA), which helps to calm down the brain nerves and increases sleeping time as well as sleep quality.
Conditions under which you must avoid taking Ambien
- Depression
- Sleep apnea
- Liver Diseases
- Allergies
- Alcohol Addiction
Definition of Lunesta
Lunesta is the brand name of eszopiclone. It is used to help people fall asleep faster, sleep for a long period of time, and not wake up in the night more often. It is always avoided in the case of patients under the age of 18. Because it is sedative and hypnotic. It works by affecting chemicals in your brain that may be unbalanced in people due to sleep-related issues. Lunesta is not a benzodiazepine drug, but it works like a medication of benzodiazepine drug.
Conditions under which you must avoid taking Lunesta
- Anxiety
- Allergy
- Under the age of 18
- Pregnancy
- Damaged Liver or kidney
What is the Difference Between Ambien and Lunesta?
As both drugs serve similar health conditions, people often wonder are Ambien and Lunesta are similar. But these two drugs can be compared in various areas. The main difference between these two drugs is that Lunesta helps individuals to sleep for a very long time period than Ambien.
Dosage
Ambien:
- The lowest dose for Ambien is 5mg, and the highest dose can go up to 10mg.
- The lowest and standard dose of AmbienCR is 6.25mg, and with time, it can be maximized to the highest dose of 12.5mg. It is only consumed for a short period of time.
Lunesta:
- The lowest dose for Lunesta medicine is 1mg, and in case of a higher dose, it is 3mg. Lunesta is taken before bedtime on an empty stomach to get better sleep. It can be used for more than 2 weeks.
Now, let’s discuss more of the differences in the table form.
| Features | Ambien | Lunesta |
| Drug Classification | Imidazopyridine | Cyclopyrrolone |
| Formulation | Oral tablet, sublingual tablet, oral spray. | Oral tablet |
| On set of Action | Faster | Slower |
| Half life | Short acting(2.5 hours) | Longer acting (6 hours) |
| Potency | Low | High |
| Dependency Risk | High risk | Low risk |
| Withdrawal Risk | Can be seen faster | May come later gradually |
| Cost | Less expensive | Expensive |
Lunesta vs Ambien: Which is Stronger?
These two medications effectively serve the same health issue, which is insomnia. Ambien is known to reduce the time needed to sleep in insomnia patients. It reduces the activity of some brain cells that delay the process of falling asleep. Ambien’s effect is short-acting and goes away within three hours. But, Lunesta works in the system for a very long time and helps patients to sleep for a longer time easily and peacefully.
Which is Better for sleep, Lunesta or Ambien?
Ambien works faster, but it has a short half-life of 2 to 3 hours and does not stay in the system for too long. It helps people with trouble sleeping quickly. On the other hand, Lunesta has a half-life of 6 hours and stays in the system for a long period of time. As its effect lingers for a long time, Lunesta is more effective for people trying to fall asleep quickly and for a long period of time. Hence, Lunesta is more preferable than Ambien for sleep. Many people also claim Ambien CR is working as effectively as Lunesta and provides a better quality of sleep.
Drug interaction
Before taking any drug, the most important factor to keep in mind is drug interaction. There are several drugs which is not safe to mix and can cause harmful effects in our body. The reaction that occurs due to this combination is known as a drug interaction. Let’s see the drugs that are incompatible with both Ambien and Lunesta.
Ambien Interactions
- Methadone
- Oxycodone
- Pentazocine
- Sufentanil
- Tramadol
- Ziconotide
- Hydrocodone
Lunesta Interactions
- Clonazepam
- Lamictal
- Tramadol
- Melatonin
- Xanax
- Zoloft
Can You Take Ambien and Lunesta Together
Mixing these two drugs can increase the risk of respiratory problems, excessive sedation, thinking impairment, etc. So it is always asked to avoid using alcohol while using Ambien or Lunesta. A combination of Ambien with Lunesta can also cause conditions like;
- Daytime sleepiness
- Breathing problem
- Extreme dizziness
- Memory loss
- Difficult concentration
- Motor coordination
So, never try to mix Ambien and Lunesta together for fun.
Side effects
Like every other drug, individuals taking Ambien or Lunesta undergo several side effects. These side effects may range from mild to severe. Let’s see what the common Ambien vs. Lunesta side effects are;
Side effects of Ambien
- Feeling groggy
- Next-day drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
Side effects of Lunesta
- Runny Nose
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Concentration issue
- Rash
- Malaise
Alternatives
If a patient is unable to take Ambien or Lunesta because of any chemical allergies or underlying health condition, then they can choose other medications that are as same as Ambien and Lunesta. Let’s see them.
Alternatives to Ambien
- Valerian
- Diphenhydramine
- Temazepam
- Flurazepam
- Cannabidiol
- Melatonin
Alternatives to Lunesta
- Edluar
- Sonata
- Halcion
- Rozerem
- Belsomra
- Dayvigo
Dependence and Withdrawal of Ambien vs Lunesta
Lunesta and Ambien are sleeping pills that are used for both short and long periods. Hence, with the rate of use, it also carries the risk of physical dependence in case of misuse. Addiction or dependence is a condition where the body needs the drug to function normally. This condition also leads to withdrawal symptoms such as;
- Tremors
- Muscle cramps
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Iritation
- Anxiety
- Liver Damage
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Rebound Insomnia
To minimize these symptoms, it is important to clear out all the contents of Ambien or Lunesta from the system under medical guidance.
Final thoughts
In the end, we hope that you understand the difference between Ambien and Lunesta and got answers to the questions in your mind. These two medicines are used for the same cause and effective in their own ways. But what is the best choice between Ambien and Lunesta should be done by your doctor only after checking all your needs and requirements of your system.