Halcion Vs. Ambien

Halcion and Ambien are both short-term prescription medications for the relief of insomnia in patients with difficulty falling asleep but not for patients who suffer from frequent or early awakening. They are both similar in terms of their function and effects, though Halcion appears to have fewer reported side effects.

• Halcion and Ambien are medications for insomnia.

Ambien

• Ambien (zolpidem) is a prescription medication that is beneficial for the short-term treatment of insomnia and a few types of brain disorders. Although its effects are similar to those of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, it is not molecularly the same. In addition to sedative effects, Ambien also acts as a hypnotic. It is not recommended for its muscle relaxant or anticonvulsant effects because of the high doses they require. Because it has a short half life, it is helpful for patients who have difficulty falling asleep, but not for those who suffer from frequent or early awakenings.

Effects of Ambien

• Ambien begins to take effect quite quickly, usually within 15 minutes. It has a short half life and usually lasts for just two to three hours. It works in combination with GABA, a neurotransmitter that controls communication between brain cells. It is believed that Ambien targets specific areas of brain cells and helps GABA reduce the electrical activity of brain cells, thereby promoting sleep.

Ambien Side Effects

• Side effects of Ambien may include amnesia, euphoria, hallucinations, increased impulsivity, delusions, impaired reasoning or judgment, headaches and impaired motor coordination. Some users have felt weak and fatigued upon waking from Ambien-induced sleep. Due to drug tolerance, Ambien can become addictive if taken over a long period of time. A small number of users have reported sleepwalking (without any previous history of sleepwalking) while using Ambien; others have reported performing daily tasks while sleeping, such as eating, talking and even driving.

Halcion

• Halcion (triazolam) is a prescription medication. It is a member of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, which are tranquilizers. Halcion, however, is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment for the relief of insomnia. In addition to having sedative properties, halcion also acts as a hypnotic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant. It is short-acting, which means it is helpful for patients who have difficulty falling asleep, but because of its short half life, it is not beneficial for those who suffer from frequent or early awakenings.

Halcion Effects

• Like Ambien, Halcion interacts with GABA to reduce the electrical activity of the brain and promote sleep. Because Halcion is a member of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, its chemical receptivity in the brain is slightly different from that of Ambien. Halcion is only meant for short-term use, usually not longer than seven to 10 days.

Halcion Side Effects

• Side effects of Halcion may include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, loss of coordination, drowsiness and anxiety.