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Belsomra vs. Ambien

Belsomra (suvorexant) is used to treat insomnia in adults. It's helpful for those who have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. This sleep medication belongs to the drug class called orexin receptor antagonists. You take a dosage within 30 minutes of bedtime as needed for sleep. It's common to feel drowsy the next day as a side effect. Belsomra (suvorexant) is a controlled substance because of the risk of misuse and becoming habit-forming. It's available as a brand-name medication only.

• Insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)

• Drowsiness (7%)
• Headache (7%)

• Feeling drowsy and having trouble focusing the next day
• Risk of worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts
• Doing things while asleep
• Sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and weakness in the legs
• Caution use in people with breathing problems

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.

• Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• Waking up in the middle of the night - certain sublingual tablets only

• Headache (7%)
• Sleepiness (2%)
• Dizziness (1%)
• Diarrhea (1%)

• 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