Lunesta Vs. Ambien: Which is the Better Sleep Aid?

If you have been having trouble sleeping, chances are your doctor has recommended a prescription sleep aid to help you with your insomnia. Two of the most popular sleeping prescriptions are Lunesta and Ambien. But which drug is the right one for you? Here, we'll look at the pros and cons of each of these popular prescription medicines. 

Ambien, which is also known by the generic name zolpidem, has been used in the United States for more than a decade to treat mild-to-moderate cases of insomnia. Ambien works quickly, causing many people to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes of taking the pill. Ambien can be taken on an empty or a full stomach, although it may take longer to work if taken on a full stomach. The drug is meant to be taken for a short period of time (less than two weeks usually), and has not been approved for long-term use. Users should know that Ambien is meant to help you fall asleep, but it does not do much to prevent you from waking after you fall asleep, and thus may not be as effective for people who have problems with waking during the night. Because Ambien is available as generic zolpidem, the cost of getting a prescription filled is usually minimal for those with some form of health insurance. 

Lunesta, on the other hand, has only been approved for use in the United States for a few years. Like Ambien, Lunesta acts quickly to help you fall asleep, but Lunesta can also help keep you from waking in the middle of the night. Lunesta must be taken on an empty stomach--in my experience, the pill will not work if it is taken when there is food in the stomach. Lunesta is also approved for long-term use for up to six months if needed. Lunesta is a brand-name prescription only, so some insurance companies may not cover it unless you try a cheaper option first, and the co-pay will almost definitely be higher than with generic zolpidem. 

When it comes to side effects, I didn't experience significant problems with either drug. I had zero side effects with Ambien, and the only side effect I had with Lunesta was a slight bitter taste in my mouth the morning after taking the drug which quickly went away on its own. Some people say they feel groggy the day after taking one of these medications, but actually woke up feeling more refreshed and alert than I normally would. Both medications can be habit forming, so it is important to take them exactly as prescribed and for the smallest amount of time possible. Some studies indicate that Lunesta may be less addictive than Ambien, but so far these have been inconclusive and more research is needed. 

In terms of which medicine is better, for me I would have to say it is Ambien. I like not having to worry about what I eat at night, knowing it won't affect the effectiveness of my sleep aid. I also like that it is a relatively cheap medicine, and has a long track-record of safe use. Lunesta and Ambien both help me sleep about the same, so the rest of those factors "tip the scales" towards zolpidem. Only a doctor can help you decide which sleep medicine is the right one to try, but the information in this article can give you some idea of the kinds of questions you'll want to ask in order to find a medication that works for you.

Doxylamine Succinate Vs. Diphenhydramine: Which is the Better Sleep Aid?

Lack of sleep can significantly affect your performance at work and in your personal life, and no one likes to have a sleepless night. For bouts of occasional sleeplessness, over-the-counter sleep aids are available. Some of these sleep aids just contain herbal supplements like melatonin and valerian root, but most over-the-counter sleeping pills contain a medicinal active ingredient. Common sleeping pills that fall into this category are Nytol, Unisom, and Tylenol P.M. All of these OTC sleep aids contain an antihistamine that is known for inducing drowsiness, and these antihistamines are generally considered safer and less habit forming than prescription drugs like Ambien and Lunesta. 

Among the over-the-counter sleeping pills, one of two antihistamine ingredients is used: diphenhydramine (sometimes listed as diphenhydramine hydrochloride) or doxylamine succinate. Diphenhydramine is the ingredient most frequently used, and is found in most formulations of Tylenol P.M. and Nytol. Most people report feeling drowsy after a normal dose of diphenhydramine, although this drowsiness can range from very slight to incredibly pronounced. Many people require just one dose to be able to fall asleep, although some people need a second dose in order to be able to sleep on some evenings. Diphenhydramine is eliminated quickly, and most users don't experience any lingering grogginess from the medicine the next day. Tolerance to this particular antihistamine builds up quickly, though, and it loses it's effectiveness as a sleep aid after just a few nights of repeated use. 

Doxylamine succinate, on the other hand, is one of the most sedating antihistamines available over-the-counter, and a single dose causes rapid and marked drowsiness in the vast majority of individuals. Doxylamine succinate is eliminated somewhat more slowly from the body than diphenhydramine hydrochloride, so while it will help you stay asleep longer, it may have somewhat of a "hangover" effect the next day. Unlike diphenhydramine, most people don't develop any tolerance to the sedating effects of doxylamine succinate, so it may be a better choice for people who need to use an OTC sleep-aid more frequently. 

Diphenhydramine tends to be cheaper than doxylamine succinate, and the lack of hangover effects makes it an ideal first-choice for those who have never used an OTC sleep aid. If, however, a diphenhydramine sleeping pill doesn't seem to cure your insomnia, you may want to give a doxylamine succinate based pill a try. Over-the-counter sleep aids shouldn't be used for longer than 2 weeks, and if your sleeplessness lasts longer than that, you'll want to see a doctor as it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. For most people, though, one of the two antihistamine-based medicines covered here should solve most sleep problems. Store brand sleeping pills contain the same active ingredients as the brand name versions, so you can usually save money by looking for a generic alternative.