Lunesta or Ambien: Which is Right for You?
If you are like millions of Americans who aren’t getting a full, restful night’s sleep, you may opt to consult your physician to obtain a prescription for one of the popular medications you have been hearing about in television ads. Two of the most well-known of these are Lunesta and Ambien. Before you speak with your doctor, it would be helpful to educate yourself about the similarities and differences between these two sleep remedies.
There are several factors on which these drugs can be evaluated. When it comes to long term effectiveness, the FDA reports that Ambien’s potency begins to fade significantly after thirty-five days of use, while Lunesta enables its users to continue to benefit for up to six months. Perhaps the most marked area of difference occurs in the side effects Ambien and Lunesta can cause. Both can lead to dizziness, and it is important to refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery after taking either medication. Ambien has been found to cause drowsiness, allergic reactions, and sinus infections. In addition, there have been reported instances of sleep-walking and even sleep-driving by patients using Ambien. Lunesta, on the other hand, has not been found to cause somnambulism, but patients have reported symptoms of headaches, nausea and indigestion. Finally, there are important distinctions between Ambien and Lunesta where reproductive issues are concerned. Neither is generally prescribed for pregnant women. Ambien was found to have no negative effect on fertility; however, Lunesta use resulted in decreased fertility in both men and women during FDA trials.
Whenever you decide to introduce a new prescription medication into your health regimen, it is important to discuss your unique needs and medical situation with your doctor. Careful forethought will help to ensure that you have chosen the path that is best for you. In the case of these sleep medications, consider the possible side effects carefully and ask yourself if you would be willing to tolerate them in the relatively rare event that they occur. If you can find a medication that helps you sleep peacefully for several hours each night, you might be willing to experience some discomfort.
