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Compare Ambien vs. Valium

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar) and diazepam (Valium) are both medications that can help with sleep and anxiety, but they work in different ways and are also used for different conditions. Zolpidem is mainly used to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping or falling asleep) and helps you fall asleep quickly by slowing down brain activity. It comes in various forms, including tablets and sublingual tablets, and is usually taken at bedtime. Diazepam, on the other hand, is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and seizures. It can be taken multiple times a day and comes as a tablet or liquid solution. Both medications carry a risk of misuse and dependence, but zolpidem is specifically known for causing unusual sleep behaviors like sleepwalking and sleep driving. Diazepam can make you very sleepy and dizzy, and it’s not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. While zolpidem is generally used for short-term treatment of sleep issues, diazepam is used for a broader range of conditions but also for short-term use due to its risk of dependence.

  • Zolpidem
    Diazepam (Valium)
  • Zolpidem
    Diazepam (Valium)

  • Summary of Ambien vs. Valium

    Summary for GABA A receptor positive modulator
    Prescription only

    Zolpidem is a sleeping pill used to treat insomnia, a condition where you have trouble falling or staying asleep. The dose is typically taken at bedtime to help you sleep. Since it's a controlled substance, it has a risk of misuse and dependency. Zolpidem should only be taken for a short period of time, especially since the medication can cause side effects like dizziness, daytime sleepiness, sleepwalking, or sleep driving. It comes as an oral tablet or capsule that you swallow and a sublingual tablet that you place under your tongue.

    Summary for Benzodiazepine
    Prescription only

    Diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine. It's used to treat symptoms of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. It can also treat certain types of muscle spasms and seizures. Diazepam (Valium) comes as a tablet and liquid solution. It's taken by mouth, typically 2 to 4 times daily. Some common side effects of diazepam (Valium) include sleepiness, dizziness, and weakness. Additionally, this medication carries a risk for misuse and dependence, so it's classified as a controlled substance.

  • Indications of Ambien vs. Valium

    Indications for
    •Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
    •Waking up in the middle of the night - certain sublingual tablets only
    Indications for
    •Anxiety disorders and short-term anxiety symptoms
    •Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
    •Muscle spasms or spasticity from certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy and stiff-person syndrome (SPS)
    •Add-on to other medications for seizures

  • Pros and Cons of Ambien vs. Valium

    Pros and Const for GABA A receptor positive modulator
    Pros
    •Works quickly within 15 to 30 minutes to help you feel sleepy
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Comes in multiple strengths which can be helpful to determine the right dose for you
    •Available as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue if you have trouble swallowing pills
    Cons
    •Can only be used for short-term treatment of insomnia
    •Has a serious risk of nighttime sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking, sleep driving, or sleep eating
    •Can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as stomach cramps, sweating, or vomiting, when stopped suddenly
    •Is a controlled substance with a risk of misuse and dependence
    Pros and Const for Benzodiazepine
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Available as tablets and liquid
    •Works within 30 minutes
    Cons
    •Might need to take multiple times a day
    •Short-term use only because risk for dependence
    •Generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Ambien vs. Valium

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (7%)
    •Sleepiness (2%)
    •Dizziness (1%)
    •Diarrhea (1%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Dizziness
    •Muscle weakness
    •Problems with balance or coordination
    •Memory problems

  • Warnings of Ambien vs. Valium

    Common Side Effects for
    •Abnormal sleep behaviors
    •Daytime sleepiness and lowered alertness
    •Severe allergic reaction
    •Abnormal thoughts, behavior changes, and depression
    •Slowed breathing
    •Liver damage in people with liver problems
    •Withdrawal symptoms
    Common Side Effects for
    •Extreme sleepiness and difficulty breathing
    •Misuse and dependence
    •Withdrawal
    •Harm to babies during pregnancy and after delivery
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Use with caution in people with depression

  • Prices with our coupons for Ambien vs. Valium

    Learn more about Zolpidem
    Learn more about Diazepam

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