Ambien and Xanax are both benzodiazepines, which are drugs that can be used to treat insomnia. They work by slowing down brain activity, which helps promote relaxation and sleep.
But there are some notable differences between these two drugs, which may help you determine which one is better suited to your needs:
Xanax works more quickly than Ambien—its effects begin kicking in within 20 minutes of taking it. Ambien takes about 1 hour to start working.
Xanax has a faster half-life than Ambien, meaning it stays in your system for a shorter period of time before being metabolized by your body (usually about 12 hours). Ambien’s half-life is about 60 hours, so it may take longer for your body to fully metabolize the drug after taking it.
Ambien has more side effects than Xanax—it can cause memory loss, confusion, nausea and vomiting when taken regularly over time. Xanax causes much less severe side effects but can still cause drowsiness and dizziness if you take too much or combine it with other substances like alcohol or narcotics (painkillers).
Is Ambien or Xanax better for sleeping?
Ambien and Xanax are both drugs that are used to treat insomnia, but they work in different ways.
Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic drug, which means it helps you fall asleep. The active ingredient in Ambien is zolpidem, which is a short-acting benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that work by calming the brain and inducing sleep, but they have many side effects, including dizziness, nausea, and headache. They can also be addictive. They can be especially dangerous when taken with alcohol or other drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS).
Xanax is an anxiolytic drug (anxiety relief medication), which means it has a calming effect on people who suffer from anxiety or panic disorders. The active ingredient in Xanax is alprazolam, which is a long-acting benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines are fast acting and cause sedation within 30 minutes of ingestion; however they are not as effective at reducing anxiety as some other types of anxiety relief medications like antidepressants or beta blockers (which affect neurotransmitters directly).
Ambien vs. Xanax: Which Is Less Addictive?
In a world where prescription drug abuse is at an all-time high and more people are addicted to painkillers than ever before, it’s natural to wonder which drugs are less addictive. In the case of Ambien and Xanax, it seems like Ambien might be less addictive than Xanax.
But there are good reasons why you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet—especially when it comes to drugs like these. Unlike cocaine or heroin, there aren’t any hard facts about how addictive either of these medications are. Instead, we have to rely on anecdotal evidence from people who have been through recovery programs or who have had experiences with addiction themselves.
When you look at these stories, they often seem contradictory: some people claim that neither drug is very addictive while others say they became addicted almost immediately after taking them for the first time. It’s no wonder that so many people believe that either one could be less addictive than the other!