Ambien vs. Lunesta

• Are Ambien and Lunesta the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ambien?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lunesta?
• What is Ambien?
• What is Lunesta?
• What Drugs Interact with Ambien?
• What Drugs Interact with Lunesta?
• How Should Ambien Be Taken?
• How Should Lunesta Be Taken?

Ambien (zolpidem) and Lunesta (eszopiclone) are sedative/hypnotics used for treating insomnia.

Common side effects of Ambien include:

• Daytime drowsiness,
• Dizziness,
• Weakness,
• Lightheadedness,
• "Drugged" feeling,
• Tiredness,
• Loss of coordination,
• Stuffy nose,
• Nasal irritation,
• Dry mouth,
• Sore throat,
• Nausea,
• Constipation,
• Diarrhea,
• Stomach upset,
• Headache,
• Muscle pain,
• Confusion,
• Insomnia,
• Euphoria,
• Ataxia (balance problems), and
• Visual changes.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Ambien including:

• memory loss,
• mental/mood/behavior changes (such as new or worsening depression, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, or anxiety).

Common side effects of Lunesta include:

• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping),
• loss of coordination,
• headache,
• depression,
• memory problems,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• nervousness,
• excitability,
• irritability,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• itching,
• increased or decreased interest in sex, or
• blurred vision.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Lunesta including:

• memory loss, or
• mental/mood/behavior changes (such as new or worsening depression, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, or anxiety).

Rarely, after taking Lunesta, people have gotten out of bed and driven vehicles while not fully awake ("sleep-driving"). People have also sleepwalked, prepared/eaten food, made phone calls, or had sex while not fully awake. Often, these people do not remember these events. This problem can be dangerous to you or to others. If you find out that you have done any of these activities after taking Lunesta, tell your doctor right away.

Ambien (zolpidem) is a sedative/hypnotic used for treating insomnia.

Lunesta (eszopiclone) is a sedative hypnotic used to treat insomnia.

Ambien may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cold medicines, pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicines for depression, anxiety, or seizures) or antidepressants.

Ambien may also interact with alcohol, chlorpromazine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or rifampin.

Insomnia symptoms may also return after you stop taking Ambien. These symptoms may seem to be worse than before you started taking Ambien.

Lunesta may interact with alcohol, other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cold medicines, pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicines for depression, anxiety, or seizures), ketoconazole, rifampin, or antidepressants.

Ambien may also interact with chlorpromazine or itraconazole.

The recommended adult dose of Ambien is 10 mg as conventional tablets or spray or 12.5 mg as extended-release tablets.

The recommended starting dose of Lunesta is 1 mg, taken with a full glass of water. Avoid taking Lunesta within 1 hour after eating a high-fat or heavy meal, because this will make it harder for your body to absorb the medication.

Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Lunesta is administered to a nursing woman. A doctor should be consulted both before becoming pregnant and before nursing while taking Lunesta. This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, abdominal cramps, vomiting, sweating, or shakiness) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.