- Are Ambien and Xanax the Same Thing?
- What Are Possible Side Effects of Ambien?
- What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?
- What Is Ambien?
- What Is Xanax?
- What Drugs Interact With Ambien?
- What Drugs Interact With Xanax?
- How Should Ambien Be Taken?
- How Should Xanax Be Taken?
Are Ambien and Xanax the Same Thing?
Ambien (zolpidem) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used for treating insomnia.
Xanax is used off-label to treat insomnia; it is approved to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders.
Ambien and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Ambien is a sedative/hypnotic and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Ambien?
Common side effects of Ambien include:
- Daytime drowsiness,
- Dizziness,
- Weakness,
- Lightheadedness,
- "Drugged" feeling,
- Tiredness,
- Loss of coordination,
- Stuffy nose,
- Nasal irritation,
- Dry mouth,
- Sore throat,
- Nausea,
- Constipation,
- Diarrhea,
- Stomach upset,
- Headache,
- Muscle pain,
- Confusion,
- Insomnia,
- Euphoria,
- Ataxia (balance problems), and
- Visual changes.
Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Ambien including:
- memory loss,
- mental/mood/behavior changes (such as new or worsening depression, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, or anxiety).
What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?
Common side effects of Xanax include:
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Memory problems
- Poor balance or coordination
- Slurred speech
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Increased sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Blurred vision
- Appetite or weight changes
- Swelling in your hands or feet
- Muscle weakness
- Dry mouth
- Stuffy nose
- Loss of interest in sex
What Is Ambien?
Ambien (zolpidem) is a sedative/hypnotic used for treating insomnia.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax (alprazolam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).
What Drugs Interact With Ambien?
Ambien may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cold medicines, pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicines for depression, anxiety, or seizures) or antidepressants.
Ambien may also interact with alcohol, chlorpromazine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or rifampin.
Insomnia symptoms may also return after you stop taking Ambien. These symptoms may seem to be worse than before you started taking Ambien.
What Drugs Interact With Xanax?
Xanax may interact with cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for depression or anxiety, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, and barbiturates. Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and seizure medications.
Do not take Xanax if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in Xanax. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Xanax.you are taking antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole.
Do not stop using Xanax without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Xanax suddenly.
How Should Ambien Be Taken?
The recommended adult dose of Ambien is 10 mg as conventional tablets or spray or 12.5 mg as extended-release tablets.
How Should Xanax Be Taken?
Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it.If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.
Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you.
Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.
Do not take more Xanax than prescribed.
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References
Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
