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Triazolam vs. Ambien

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

Key takeaways

Triazolam (Halcion) and zolpidem (Ambien) are both medications used to treat insomnia, but they belong to different drug classes and have distinct characteristics. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine that works by relaxing your nervous system, while zolpidem is a GABA A receptor positive modulator that slows down brain activity to help you sleep. Triazolam is typically used for short-term treatment (7 to 10 days) and is known for its quick onset and short duration, making it effective for falling asleep but not necessarily staying asleep. On the other hand, zolpidem can be used for both falling asleep and staying asleep, with various forms available, including immediate-release and extended-release tablets, as well as sublingual tablets. Both medications carry risks of misuse, dependence, and withdrawal, but zolpidem has additional risks of abnormal sleep behaviors like sleepwalking and sleep driving. Triazolam is not recommended during pregnancy due to potential harm to the baby, while the safety of zolpidem during pregnancy is not well established. Both medications should be taken exactly as prescribed to minimize risks and side effects.

Triazolam

(Halcion)

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Zolpidem

 

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Summary for Triazolam

Prescription only

Triazolam (Halcion) is used to treat insomnia in adults. It belongs to the drug class called benzodiazepines. The typical dosage is one tablet by mouth before bedtime. This medication helps you sleep, but it should only be used for a short period of time, typically for 7 to 10 days at a time. In addition to sedation (sleepiness), this medication can cause side effects like headaches and dizziness. Like other benzodiazepines, triazolam (Halcion) also has other serious risks and interactions with other medications.

Indications for Triazolam

  • Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) in adults

Pros and Cons for Triazolam

Pros

  • Might start to work within 30 minutes
  • Side effects wear off quickly since it's short-acting
  • Lower-cost generic form available

Cons

Common Side Effects for Triazolam

  • Sleepiness (14%)
  • Headache (10%)
  • Dizziness (8%)
  • Nervousness (5%)
  • Lightheadedness (5%)
  • Problems with coordination or movement (5%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (5%)

Warnings for Triazolam

  • Serious risks when taking triazolam (Halcion) and opioids together
  • Potential for misuse and addiction
  • Physical dependence and withdrawal
  • Unusual behavior while sleeping
  • Changes in thoughts or behavior
  • Effects on driving and concentration
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Harm to unborn baby
  • Interactions with other medications

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 Triazolam vs. Ambien

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Triazolam2 tablets / 0.25mg
$9.76-
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Zolpidem30 tablets / 10mg
$11.16$18.94
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