While Ambien and Belsomra both help get a restful night of sleep, each medication induces sleep in different ways. Learn about the differences between each medicine.
Belsomra andAmbienare both prescription sleep medications. Both medications are very effective at treatingsleep disorders, but each has the potential for addiction and misuse.
Belsomra, the brand name for suvorexant, was approved in 2014. Being less than five years old, medical professionals have minimal experience with Belsomra. Ambien, however, was approved in 1992 and has been available as genericzolpidemfor several years.
Both medications are approved only to treatinsomnia, a disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sometimes, insomnia is a mixture of both of these symptoms. Othersymptoms of insomniainclude:
- Anxiety,depressionor irritability
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Still feeling tired after a night’s sleep
- Waking in the middle of the night
- Waking up before you intend to
Insomnia has major impacts on the quality of life and happiness of people who suffer from the condition. Proper treatment can help someone lead a healthier and happier lifestyle. Unfortunately, the most effective sleep medications also have the potential for addiction or misuse. Do not mix them unless directed by your doctor, and keep in mind that too much sleep can cause as much damage as insomnia.
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Article at a Glance:
Ambien and Belsomra are medications that treat insomnia
Ambien works by increasing the chemical signal (GABA), promoting sleepiness
Belsomra blocks orexin, a chemical our brain cells use to wake up
Do not mix Belsomra and Ambien — they will not work better together
Mixing these drugs will cause excessive sleepiness and sometimes more serious effects, such as sleep-driving
Similarities of Belsomra and Ambien
Belsomra and Ambien are both used to treat insomnia. They should each be taken once per day, about 30 minutes before bed.
Both medications have the potential for addiction and misuse.Both drugs are schedule IV medications, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), meaning they have a recognized medical use and some potential for misuse.
Addiction to sleep medication can causewithdrawal symptomslike insomnia, irritability, andanxiety. Withdrawal is more likely in cases of chronic drug use, but it can happen whenever sleep medications are misused.
Belsomra Compared to Ambien
Ambien works by increasing the effects of the chemical messenger (GABA) that is found in brain cells. GABA is sent between brain cells and slows down some messages. Ambien enhances the GABA messages that are sent, causing it to stick around longer with a stronger effect.
Ambien starts working in about 30 minutes and leaves the body in about eight to 10 hours — a normal night’s rest. Ambien has been known to cause sleepiness during the next dose, especially in people who are taking it for the first time or taking too high of a dose.
Different formulations of the generic zolpidem include:
- Ambien
- Ambien CR (controlled release)
- Edluar (sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue)
- Intermezzo(fast-acting low dose)
- Zolpimist (oral spray)
Belsomrablocks chemical signals in the brain that cause you to wake up. Brain cells make a group of chemicals called orexin and these chemical signals are used to wake up the brain and turn off the sleep process. Belsomra stops orexins from finding their targets in brain cells, keeping a person asleep even if orexins are released.
Belsomra starts working about 30 minutes after it is taken and it stays in the body for several days afterward. Some people havereported that Belsomra left them feeling too drowsy to drivethe next day.
What Happens if You Take Belsomra and Ambien Together?
Belsomra and Ambien should not be taken together. Mixing them will not provide better treatment for insomnia and can increase the chances of negative side effects. Your doctor should not be prescribing both medications at the same time, due to the negative consequences it can have on your health.
Side Effects of Belsomra and Ambien Together
Taking both medications together greatly increases the chances ofthese side effects:
- “Drugged” feeling
- Difficulty keeping balance
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Sleepwalking or sleep driving
- Tiredness
- Unsteady walking
- Unusual dreams
If you or someone you know is misusing sleep medications, The Recovery Village is here to help.Contact ustoday to learn more about treatment options that can work well for your situation.
