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Eszopiclone vs. Ambien

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

Lunesta

(eszopiclone)

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Zolpidem

 

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Summary for Eszopiclone

Prescription only

Lunesta (eszopiclone) is used to treat insomnia in people over the age of 18. This medication can help you fall asleep faster and wake up fewer times during the night. Lunesta (eszopiclone) belongs to a drug class called sedative-hypnotics, and it's a controlled substance so there are restrictions on how it can be filled and refilled at the pharmacy. You typically only need to take a dose right before bedtime, but it can cause a headache or leave a bad taste in your mouth as a side effect.

Indications for Eszopiclone

  • Insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)

Pros and Cons for Eszopiclone

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic
  • Can help you fall asleep and stay asleep
  • Fewer side effects and less addicting than some other sleep medications

Cons

  • Can cause sedation, dizziness, and poor coordination the next day, especially at higher doses
  • Can lead to rebound insomnia after stopping the medication, especially if you've taken it for a long time
  • Risk of abnormal sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking or sleep driving

Common Side Effects for Eszopiclone

Warnings for Eszopiclone

  • Abnormal sleep behaviors
  • Poor mental alertness
  • Behavior changes and abnormal thinking
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Follow up with provider to check for other reasons for insomnia
  • Withdrawal
  • Use with caution in older adults and people with certain health conditions

Summary for Ambien

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.

Indications for Ambien

Pros and Cons for Ambien

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

Common Side Effects for Ambien

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

Warnings for Ambien

  • 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

Prices with our coupons for Eszopiclone vs. Ambien

Price Card Drug Icon
Eszopiclone30 tablets / 3mg
$12.67$232.78
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Price Card Drug Icon
Zolpidem30 tablets / 10mg
$11.16$18.94
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