Zolpidem vs Zopiclone: Difference, Efficacy & Safety

Insomnia is a common disorder associated with an individual's difficulty sleeping. Research has shown that approx. 30% of adult samples from different countries report one or more of the symptoms of insomnia, i.e., difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, and waking up too early. 

Chronic insomnia is highly prevalent and affects nearly 30% of the population. Various pharmacological measures are available for the treatment of insomnia. That's when people use different ways to deal with insomnia conditions.

Not all the tricks and tips work, so they shift their vision to the simple way of getting out of the condition through Medicine. Zolpidem and Zopiclone are one of the used medicine to treat the disease. Let us see the comparative study of two non-benzodiazepine drugs, Zolpidem, and Zopiclone, in detail.

What Is Zolpidem?

Zolpidem, also known as Ambien, is a sedative-hypnotic medication primarily used to treat insomnia in adults. In addition to its FDA-approved indication for short-term treatment of insomnia, Ambien has been used off-label for other purposes, including managing anxiety-related insomnia. 

Studies have shown that Ambien can improve sleep onset, reduce sleep onset latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), and promote staying asleep.  

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How Does Zolpidem Work?

Zolpidem targets the omega-1 receptor subtype, which corresponds to GABA-A receptors containing the alpha-1 subunit, resulting in a slowing of brain activity that facilitates falling asleep and staying asleep. This makes it beneficial for addressing difficulties in falling asleep, waking up too early, or experiencing disruptions in sleep during the night.

What Is Zopiclone?

Zopiclone is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, facilitating easy sleep initiation and preventing sudden awakenings during the night or early morning. It belongs to a non-benzodiazepine medication. 

Typically administered in tablet form, it is also employed in rehabilitation programs to manage withdrawal symptoms associated with alcoholism. Zopiclone is promoted as a sleep aid in certain countries, but it has not been FDA-approved in the United Kingdom. There are many pharmacies that sell Zopiclone as per your requirements, and you can easily buy Zopiclone next-day delivery for combating insomnia and other disorders.

This medication is known by its brand name Zimovane. Zopiclone is not recommended for people who are 18 years of age or older. It is essential to consult with a doctor to determine if Zopiclone is suitable for improving your sleep.

How Does Zopiclone Work?

Zopiclone works by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits nerve transmission, leading to a relaxing and calming effect. 

The medicine works too fast that it takes approximately 15 minutes and induces a dream-like state that may feel euphoric. Using Zopiclone for no more than 7 to 10 consecutive days is generally recommended. It is essential to follow the prescribed dosage and duration as directed by a healthcare professional to avoid any risks and side effects associated with prolonged use.

Similarities Between Zolpidem And Zopiclone

Zolpidem and Zopiclone are non-benzodiazepine drugs used to treat insomnia. They are categorized as z-drugs, which are more widely prescribed than the original benzodiazepines to reduce the overall side effects described by using benzodiazepine. They function similarly to benzodiazepine but are structurally different.

To cope with sleep disorders, Zolpidem and Zopiclone are widely prescribed by physicians. The similarities and differences between Zolpidem and Zopiclone are further examined below: 

Difference Between Zolpidem Vs. Zopiclone

As every medication is made for a single condition, it doesn't mean there won't be any difference between the two. Here are the Differences between Zolpidem and Zopiclone.

Â	Zolpidem	Zopiclone
Brand Name	Ambien	Zimovane
FDA Approval	Yes, in the year 2007	Not FDA approved
Dosage	The recommended daily  dose is 10mg Max. The daily dose is 10 mg (adults)	The recommended daily dose is 7.5mg once daily before bedtime A lower dose of 3.75mg is for older
Dosage Form	Are produced as oral tablets only	Available as an oral tablet, sublingual, oromucosal (spray), and rectal formulation
Oral bioavailability	70%	80%
Elimination half-life	2.5 hrs Drug elimination through kidney and feces	4-5 hrs Drug elimination through urine
Pregnancy category	Category B3	Category C
Best Price	$14 for six tablets (10mg)	$0.01- $1 per pill

Zolpidem vs. Zopiclone: Which Is More Effective?

According to the Study by Sage Journal, Zopiclone has been proven to be more effective than Zolpidem, with the added benefit of significantly reduced rebound effects upon withdrawal, making it better tolerated overall. Zolpidem is a mainly prescribed Sleeping pill in the United States.  

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Side Effects Zolpidem v/s Zopiclone

The therapeutic action of medicines may also cause some unwanted side effects. Although all of these side effects might not occur, if they do occur, they might need medical attention. Talk to your doctor immediately if the following side effects occur:

ZolpidemÂ	Zopiclone
Chest pain	Feeling low or sad
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting	Depression
Shakiness and unsteady walk	Slurred speech
Anxiety	Poor memory
Fever, hives, itching, or rash	Skin rash
Frequent urination	Confusion
Sore throat	Stomach upset

Who Cannot Take Zolpidem Or Zopiclone?

Before taking Zolpidem and Zopiclone, you should read the instructions on the leaflet on the product package or go through the medical guide regarding how to take the medications.
If there is any query regarding medicine use, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist. Zolpidem and Zopiclone are contraindicated in the following conditions:

• Respiratory failure
• Sleep apnea syndrome
• Myasthenia gravis
• Severe liver impairment
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Apart from these issues, if you all suffer from any other condition, do inform your doctor and your medicinal history you have consumed. 

How long does Zopiclone stay in your system?

Interactions Of Zolpidem And Zopiclone

The interaction of drugs may change how a drug works or increase the risk of severe side effects. Talk to your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medication, including

• Alcohol
• CNS depressants
• Narcotic analgesics (such as codeine, morphine, methadone, oxycodone, pethidine, or tramadol)
• Anti-epileptic drugs
• Anesthetics
• Sedative antihistamines (such as chlorphenamine or promethazine)
• CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as erythromycin clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and ritonavir)
• CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and St John's wort) 

Zopiclone vs Diazepam: which is better and why?

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

The above comparative study concludes that Zopiclone and Zolpidem effectively treat insomnia. However, Zopiclone can be more effective in treating sleep disorders. It is more effective than other medications and works more quickly.

The reviews are given by the people who have been consuming the medicine. One fair-quality head-to-head trial found that zolpidem and Zopiclone were similar in efficacy on patient-rated sleep outcomes and the investigator's global improvement assessment.

Zopiclone caused more rebound sleep latency insomnia than zolpidem. As there is effectiveness to the medicine, some flaws might negatively affect you and eventually return to normal. You can get the treatment after the prescription from the doctor.