Benzodiazepines and anxiolytics belong to the class of central nervous system (CNS) depressants that induce a state of drowsiness, sedation, drowsiness, impaired memory formation, and relaxation.
These effects depend on the specific drug and formulation used. They are habit-forming drugs. Individuals can become addicted to them, even if they take them as their doctor has prescribed. Common benzodiazepines include Diazepam, Alprazolam, Lorazepam, Clonazepam, and Temazepam.
Ambien (Zolpidem) is a sedative/hypnotic drug with some characteristics within the family of sedative-hypnotic medications. However, it has a specific selectivity that lessens anti-seizure and muscle relaxant effects and increases its soothing effect. Thus, it is used primarily as a medication for sleep.
Ambien is generally considered to be less addictive than common benzodiazepines. It also has a lower potential for abuse and overdose. In this blog, let us learn more about Ambien and benzodiazepines.
Ambien (Zolpidem) is a non-benzodiazepine, non-barbiturate prescription drug for the short-term treatment of insomnia (1 to 2 weeks or fewer) in adults. It belongs to the class of sedative-hypnotics and is available in two formulations:
Ambien was initially developed to provide an alternative to other sleeping pills with a lower potential for addiction or abuse. However, research suggests Ambien can produce dependency, tolerance, and withdrawal, signs of a potentially addictive drug.
Some people also use Ambien to reduce headaches or decrease Anxiety and stress. Due to its relaxant characteristics, Ambien and its generic equivalent, Zolpidem, are sometimes taken to ease people suffering from a migraine or a solid headache for sleep, thereby reducing the symptoms of the headache. However, it does not necessarily eliminate the cause of the headache and is not meant to treat it. Aside from that, it is not recommended for children below 18 years.
Ambien exhibits its therapeutic action like other sedatives/hypnotic drugs. It binds to the brain's gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors to increase the neurotransmitter's effectiveness. The prime responsibility of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA, is to regulate the excitability of the nervous system and help you calm and relax during bedtime.
As a sedative/hypnotic drug, Ambien can cause an intoxicated feeling and possibly short-term euphoria. Zolpidem has a short half-life. Unlike other sleeping pills, it wears off in a few hours.
Benzodiazepines are included in the category of drugs called CNS depressants that cause drowsiness. These medications help treat insomnia as well as anxiety and panic disorders. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them to treat:
The type of benzodiazepine will determine the potential uses. Doctors may also prescribe these drugs off-label for various conditions, including:
Benzodiazepines or benzos are highly habit-forming drugs, even if taken in a manner as prescribed. The risk for misuse and abuse is high. Prolonged usage of these drugs leads to increased tolerance, which means you will need higher doses to achieve the intended effects. Generally, individuals with a history of alcohol or drug abuse are more likely to develop an addiction to such drugs.
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter. GABA is a neurotransmitter that communicates inhibitory messages between brain cells and calming notes to the body.
When an individual feels anxious, overstimulation occurs in the brain. When people take benzodiazepines, the brain will send messages to counter this overstimulation. Thus, taking benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Ambien is a non-benzodiazepine drug belonging to a class of sedatives/hypnotics. It is commonly used to treat short-term insomnia by activating the neurotransmitter receptors for GABA, which slows down the brain, resulting in sedative action.
It is prescribed only as a second-line treatment for insomnia after non-pharmacological options have been exhausted. These options include sleep hygiene therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Benzodiazepine abuse is a significant cause of concern. Most people take these drugs for recreational purposes without the supervision of a licensed medical professional, which can be potentially dangerous and harmful. Individuals can avoid potentially life-threatening problems by:
Ambien is used to treat short-term insomnia only. On the other hand, benzodiazepines treat sleep disorders, Anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, panic disorders, nervousness, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. Common benzodiazepines include Diazepam, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, and Lorazepam. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you stop taking benzodiazepines or Ambien abruptly. However, withdrawal symptoms may vary for both.
Side effects of benzodiazepines that differ from Ambien include:
While side effects of Ambien that vary from benzodiazepines include:
Ambien also induces parasomnia that includes all strange things while people are technically asleep, with no memory of doing so, such as binge-eating, sleepwalking, hallucinations, or cleaning the house.
Despite different properties, Ambien and benzodiazepine have similar characteristics.
These include:
The side effects of Ambien and benzodiazepines may range from mild to more severe symptoms that should be discussed with your healthcare professional. The side effects of both drugs are as follows:
|
Common Side Effects |
Less Common Side Effects |
|---|---|
|
Sedation |
Weakness |
|
Memory impairment |
Dizziness |
|
Increase or decrease in appetite |
Headache |
|
Improper body balance |
Drowsiness |
|
Nausea & Vomiting |
Drugged feeling |
|
Constipation |
Insomnia |
|
Dry mouth |
Rare Side effects |
|
Reduced libido |
Blood Disorders |
|
Lightheadedness |
Yellowing of Skin (Jaundice) |
|
Fatigue |
Gynecomastia |
Ambien (Zolpidem) Side Effects:
|
Common Side Effects |
Less Common Side Effects |
|---|---|
|
Drowsiness |
Back Pain |
|
Headache |
Double Vision |
|
Muscle Aches |
Indigestion/Heartburn |
|
Stuffy/Runny Nose |
Hoarseness |
|
Nausea & Vomiting |
Irritability |
|
Diarrhea |
Rare Side effects |
|
Lightheadedness |
Blurred Vision |
|
Fatigue |
Breast Pain |
|
Lack of Appetite |
Changes in Taste |
Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these severe side effects. Adjustments in your prescription may be necessary for further treatment.
Both drugs are classified as Schedule IV drugs by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means they have a limited potential and risk for abuse and dependence than other, more powerful, controlled drugs.
Ambien becomes addictive at higher than prescribed doses or for longer than two weeks. Aside from that, it can also cause withdrawal symptoms when it is discontinued abruptly.
Ambien also causes abnormal behavior with confusion, or paradoxical insomnia, which may include sleep-driving. If these dangerous side effects occur, Ambien should be discontinued.
Benzodiazepines are highly effective medications. As mentioned earlier, these are habit-forming. Individuals are more likely to become addicted to these drugs, even if taken as prescribed. People with a history of alcohol or drug abuse have a high risk for addiction to these medications.
People get addicted if they take benzodiazepines over a more extended period. This means an individual needs higher drug doses to treat health conditions because you have become tolerant of the weaker formulations.
Signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction include:
Benzodiazepine addiction is challenging to overcome since these drugs alter the brain's chemistry. Doctors and other licensed medical practitioners who treat addiction will likely formulate a tapering schedule to wean off the medication gradually. This scheduling system effectively reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms during treatment and prevents addiction.
In total, there are currently 377 drugs that are likely to have an interaction with Ambien. Out of the 377, 24 are significant, 350 are moderate, and 3 are minor interactions. These interactions with Ambien are a matter of concern since some can lead to an unintended increase in blood levels of each specific medication, raising the risks of more severe side effects.
Ambien is processed in the liver, wherein the liver enzymes break it down for elimination from the body. If other medications (e.g., antibiotics) inhibit these enzymes, the levels of Ambien in the blood may rise. Ambien may also interact with other drugs. These drugs or substances include:
A combination of alcohol and benzodiazepine is hazardous. People taking alcohol while on this drug will feel the effects of alcohol faster. It is unsafe to take alcohol or other drugs with similar products on the central nervous system (CNS) simultaneously.
These drugs interact with oral benzodiazepines, causing different brain and respiratory depression, which can even be fatal. Examples of drugs that increase sedative side effects of respiratory depression from benzodiazepines include:
Pain medicines called opioids that also cause respiratory depression, including:
Sedatives drugs include:
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist to run a drug interaction screen before taking benzodiazepines or Ambien with other medications or supplements.
Ambien is used to treat insomnia. Benzodiazepines are also used to treat other conditions aside from insomnia. These medications are included in the drug class of CNS depressants that cause drowsiness. On the other hand, Ambien belongs to the sedative-hypnotic class that has some characteristics similar to benzodiazepines.
Both work by activating the GABA neurotransmitter receptor. Long-term use of these medications is associated with tolerance or dependence. Individuals can potentially develop an addiction to using either drug. Despite being recommended for short-term only, Ambien and benzodiazepines are prescribed in high volumes in different countries.
Individuals should always discuss with their doctor any other drugs they are taking and any particular concern related to their prescription for Ambien or benzodiazepine for better treatment.
