Most American people in this fast-paced world are experiencing the major problem of Narcolepsy (falling asleep). While some people are struggling with the severe problem of Insomnia (staying asleep). To effectively treat such sleeping difficulties, Lunesta and Ambien drugs may be prescribed by both clinical experts and doctors. Let’s we will discuss Lunesta vs Ambien both medicines.
Sleeping problems not only affect a person’s quality of life but also disturb their sedentary lifestyle activities. Both Lunesta and Ambien sleeping pills can help individuals living in the USA to effectively treat both Insomnia and Narcolepsy.
Although these medications belong to two drug classes namely, sedatives and hypnotics. Yet, they differ in their prescription and treatment. We will distinguish between Lunesta and Ambien drugs on a few aspects like overview, mechanism, dose and dosage strengths, onset and duration, and side effects. Let’s start the blog.
Difference Between Lunesta and Ambien Sleeping Drugs
Here, we will differentiate between two sleeping drugs, Lunesta and Ambien that a patient may take as prescribed by a doctor when suffering from sleeping complications.
Overview
Lunesta
Eszopiclone is the generic name of Lunesta and is prescribed by doctors to treat Insomnia (trouble sleeping). Sedative-hypnotics and Anxiolytics (non-benzodiazepine drug classes) are two classes of drugs that belong to Lunesta.
This prescription medication majorly helps those individuals, who are struggling with difficulty in sleeping. It also helps people to fall asleep rapidly and stay asleep extensively for a longer duration. Lunesta is considered the safest sleeping aid and is often prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Ambien
Zolpidem is a generic drug, it is sold and marketed in the US by its brand name Ambien. A doctor prescribes this branded medicine to treat Insomnia, the same sleeping problem. However, the use of Ambien drug is for treating only short-term sleeping problems.Â
The two brand names of this drug are Ambien and Ambien CR, which also helps people to treat the problem of anxiety. Anxiolytics and nonbenzodiazepine sedatives and hypnotics are the two drug classes of Ambien drug.
Mechanism
Lunesta
This drug affects the brain chemicals and a neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which regulates brain functioning to provide a relaxing, soothing and calming effect.
Therefore, it helps people to sleep fast quickly as well as to sleep for longer intervals approximately more than 8 hours.
Many doctors in America prescribe this branded drug for treating short-term and acute insomnia among people. It is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drug class agent, so the mechanism of the Lunesta drug is dependent on the γ-amino and y-butyric acids and brain receptors.  Â
Ambien
It is also a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drug class agent with weak myorelaxant, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties. However, due to its strong hypnotic properties, it binds with GABA receptors and decreases the neuronal activities in the brain, which helps to fall asleep.
The Ambien drug is similar to the Lunesta drug, which helps treat the common sleep problem, Insomnia. The drug is more effective and neurotransmitters help in producing a calming effect on the brain.
The mechanism of action of this drug is capable of binding both α (alpha) and β (beta) GABA receptors and also the α1- α1(alpha one- alpha one) subunit interface.
Dose and Dosage Strengths
Lunesta
The dosage forms available for the Lunesta drug are in Pills and Oral tablets. The dosage strengths of this medication are as follows:
- 1mg
- 2mg
- 3mg
The initial dosage of this drug is 1 mg, which can be increased up to the 3 mg dose and to be taken before going to sleep. The dose of Lunesta helps people, especially elderly who are suffering from liver problems. The half-life of this medication is approx. to 6 hours, which means it stays in the body for a meaning it stays in the body proportionally for a long time as compared to some other sleeping pills.
Ambien
Ambien drug is available in four dosage formations, which include:
- Oral capsules
- Oral tablets
- Sublingual tablets
- Oral tablets with extended-release
Further, the drug is divided into two tablet forms namely, Immediate-Release (IR) and Extended-Release (ER).
The dosage strengths of this drug are typically administered by a doctor for treating sleeping disorders. These are as follows:
Immediate-release (ER) Tablets of Ambien Drug
- Â 5 mgÂ
- 10 mg
Extended-release (ER) Tablets of Ambien CR Drug
- 6.25 mg
- 12.5 mg
Ambien CR (extended-release tablet form) includes two layers, first and second. It helps the individuals to get to sleep fast when the first layer is dissolved. It also helps them to stay asleep for a longer duration when second the layer is dissolved.
Thus, the Ambien drug is not prescribed by a doctor for pediatric patients. Also, geriatric patients cannot take the maximum dose of this drug is 10 mg and therefore they are prescribed to take only 5 mg PO qHS( initial dose).
Duration and Onset
Lunesta
If patients are taking Lunesta drug before going to bed then the drug may start to show its positive effects in the body within 30 minutes and last up to 1 hour.
The drug is usually prescribed for a person, who has difficulty falling asleep in a fast way rather than staying asleep.
Ambien
While taking this drug, it may start to show effects in a person’s body within 15 minutes and last up to 30 minutes. As compared to the Lunesta drug, the Ambien drug can be used for a short-term duration. Due to its high potential effect, it tends to act more quickly in the body.
The drug is often prescribed by a doctor for a person having difficulty falling asleep quickly and staying asleep for a long time.
Side Effects
Lunesta
If a patient misuses, overdoses, or becomes addicted to the Lunesta drug, he or she may cause some unwanted effects. Some common and serious side effects may occur in individuals if left untreated. These are as follows:
Common & Serious Side Effects
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Sleepiness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Cough and cold
- Fever
- Hoarseness
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Bitter taste
- Difficulty in urinating
- Back pain
- Anxiety
- Skin rash
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Nerve pain
- Appetite loss
- Sweating
- Sore throat
- Muscle ache
- Confusion
- Bladder pain
- Tiredness
- Weakness
Ambien
Several common and serious side effects may occur in those people, who are experiencing complex sleep-related behavioral problems.Â
Common and Serious Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Muscle pain
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Stuffy nose
- Throat irritation
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Neurological disorders
- Allergic reactions
- Memory loss
- Mental, mood, and behavioral changes
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Hoarseness
Precautions to Follow While Using Lunesta and Ambien Drugs
To reduce side effects and misuse of Lunesta and Ambien medications, a person should consider some precautions, which are mentioned below:
- A patient should follow the prescribed dosage of both the drugs as prescribed by a doctor or clinical expert.
- A patient should take and follow the exact timing of administering the drugs before bedtime or as directed by a healthcare provider.
- A patient should attend the scheduled appointments accordingly as instructed by a healthcare expert to monitor the response of action while taking Lunesta and Ambien Drugs.
- A patient should use both drugs for a short duration to avoid the risk of being addicted or dependent.Â
- A patient should not miss the dosages of these drugs if experiencing complex sleep-related behavioral problems.
Conclusion
Both Lunesta and Ambien drugs are beneficial for treating the problem of insomnia and should properly be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Hence, a patient should take the dosages of Lunesta and Ambien drugs before bedtime and as prescribed by a doctor or healthcare expert.
