Zolpidem vs Zopiclone: Comparing Popular Sleeping Aids

Are you struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep at night? You are not alone. Insomnia is affecting millions of people across the UK and his making everyday life feel like a constant battle. Whether it's stress, irregular routines, or other health problems keeping you awake. When you are searching for a good night's sleep, you are often searching for a good sleeping tablet. Two of the most common options are Zolpidem and Zopiclone.

But which one is right for you?

In this blog, we'll explain everything you need to know about these two medications- how they work, how they differ, and which might suit you to see problems best.

What is Zolpidem?

Zolpidem is a sleeping pill usually taken when you are having trouble falling asleep. Many people know that this works quickly and people start to feel sleepy within about 20 minutes of taking it.

Doctors usually recommend it for short-term use, meaning of few days to a couple of weeks. That's because your body can get used to it, and it might stop working as well if taken for too long.

What is Zopiclone?

Zopiclone is another popular sleeping tablet, but it's often used when people have trouble sleeping or waking up too early.

It stays in your system longer than zolpidem, which helps you stay at least throughout the night. However, this also means you are a bit more likely to feel drowsy or slow the next morning-especially if you take it too late at night.

How are these similar?

This medicine is similar in the following ways:

• Both the medicine helps people with insomnia.
• One should take them just before bedtime.
• These medicines should be used for a short time
• In the UK, you will need a prescription for both the medication.
• Therefore, you should not mix these with alcohol.

What about side effects?

Like every medicine, both Zolpidem and Zopiclone come with potential side effects. You might not get symptoms, but it is good to know.

Common side effects of zolpidem are:

• Feeling sleepy or dizzy
• Headache
• Confusion, especially among older adults
• Feeling low the next morning.

Common side effects of Zopiclone are:

• Metallic or bitter taste in the mouth
• Dry mouth
• Morning drowsiness
• Feeling forgetful or foggy

Both can also cause things like sleepwalking or doing things you don't remember during your sleep. There are rare but serious side effects that often occur when you misuse it.

Can you become addicted?

Now the question arises in everyone's mind whether we will become addicted or dependent or not. Yes, and that is why both medications should be used only when it's needed for a short time.

• If you take either medicine too often, your body might get used to it or won't work well.
• Additionally, you may feel that you cannot sleep without it.
• Lastly, you can have trouble stopping it.

To avoid this, always follow your doctor's advice and try to use sleeping tablets as a temporary fix, not a long-term solution.

What is the difference between Zolpidem and Zopiclone?

• Sleepwalking or sleeping-related behaviours

Zolpidem can cause strange behaviours, like sleepwalking and sleep-eating, in a very small percentage of users. This medication is so severe that people, after consuming it, can end up sleep-driving as well. Zopiclone, on the other hand, doesn't give these kinds of symptoms. Confusion and grogginess can be there, as this medicine doesn't provide any zombie-like reactions.

If you are living with children, then zolpidem is dangerous as it comes with activities like Sleep driving. Knowing these helps you to decide which option is better for your lifestyle.

• Bitter taste in the mouth

Zolpidem releases a bitter taste in the mouth after consuming it. This is a common side effect that most people using it are facing. On the other hand, Zopiclone doesn't come with these.

• Morning hangover effect

Zopiclone stays in your body for a long. Thus it gives symptoms like morning dullness if the body has not got enough sleep. Zolpidem doesn't stay in your body for long, so it does not provide any morning effects.

• A hidden fall risk of muscle relaxation

Zopiclone not only comes to your brain but also relaxes your muscles. This sounds helpful. But, it also comes with a higher risk of falls especially if you are getting up in the night or if you are an older adult.

Zolpidem focuses more on brain activity related to sleep, so it does not have that much effect on your body's coordination.

If you are older or have balance issues, then this fact could help you to avoid any injuries.

• The medicines work differently in women.

One of the most interesting facts is that zolpidem breaks down most slowly in women. That means it can build up in the system, which can give you grogginess or dizziness the next day.

Zopiclone doesn't appear to be affected by grogginess in the same way.

While the UK doesn't currently do this by gender, this is something to consider, special if you are a woman and experience in strong side effects of zolpidem.

• How are these medicines affecting dreams and REM sleep?

REM sleep is the dream take that helps with memory, mood, and brain health. Zolpidem is believed to preserve REM sleep better than Zopiclone.

Moreover, this difference might not affect everyone, but it can be important for people who are struggling with mental clarity or low mood.

If you are already dealing with anxiety, depression, or memory issues, protecting your REM sleep can help your brain to calm.

• The chances of rebound insomnia

When you stop any of these medications, suddenly, your sleep will get worse before it gets better. But this is more common, and often it is more intense with zolpidem.

Zopiclone users have reported conditions like rebound insomnia, but in many cases, it is less severe.

• Medicines more likely to be misused

According to reports, zolpidem is the most frequently misused of the two medicines because this medicine has a calming effect. Relaxing on mood-altering impact, which is not the intention of using a properly.

If you have a history of substance abuse or addiction or struggle with impulse control, then Zopiclone is a safer long-term option.

• Sleep architecture

Zolpidem works in a very targeted way. This focuses mainly on helping you to sleep faster without deeply changing the structure of your sleep. Zopiclone, meanwhile, has a broader effect, which means it can influence several stages of sleep. This can help with both falling and staying asleep, but it can also disrupt the natural sleep cycle.

If your main issue is falling asleep, zolpidem might be enough for you. But if you wake up multiple times at night, then Zopiclone might be a good medicine for you, but it also comes with side effects.

Can you take them together?

The answer to this is no; you should not mix these two medications. They work in similar ways, and combining them can make you too drowsy and slow your breathing. Most importantly, combining them increases the risk of side effects.

Conclusion

If you are struggling with sleep and nothing is helping you out, then please speak to your doctor. Ask which option is right for you Zolpidem or Zopiclone. But don't stop there; focus on your lifestyle change also like sticking to regular bedtime or avoiding screens before sleep. Sleep well, wake up refreshed, and take control of your night once at a time.