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ambien actually helps I think it acts on the GABA receptor

From my experience Ambien or its generic, Zolpidem, is fine and results in very few side effects for very occasional use (and for most users)... it doesn't seem to impact my sleep architecture like benzos often do. However, if I use it every night then it quickly reaches a tolerance level (or ceiling) which renders it ineffective for sleep until the drug is eliminated completely from my system (which takes me weeks to do). By very occasional use, I mean once or twice a month when I have to get to sleep for something important the next day, thus finding it hard to doze off. I've heard some people have episodes of calling people from their past, or sleep eating or sleep walking... I can't say that's even remotely happened to me or anybody I know who's used Ambien, still that's something to watch out for.

Jay Aitchsee wrote:

Too tall wrote:My sleep doctor prescribes ambien so I guess if it was bad he would do it. I use Xanax which is much cheaper and just as good and no increase in ahi.

Except the half life of Xanax is about 3 times that of Ambien and thus more likely to cause a "drug hangover' the next day. Additionally, I believe but can't cite a source right now, that Xanax has a greater risk of dependency than Ambien.

See http://www.livestrong.com/article/13298 ... -sleeping/ for one person's comparison of the two.
http://www.drugs.com/article/benzodiazepines.html
http://www.rxlist.com/ambien-drug/clini ... cology.htm
http://www.rxlist.com/xanax-drug/clinic ... cology.htm
2.2 compared to 11.2

Sorry for the very late reply. Yea, it does have more chance for dependency. However, Ambien makes some people do strange things including my wife. As far as the half life. I can't make it thru the night with a single Xanax does now. When I took ambien, I'd also have to take another one during the night. Personal preference I guess. I use Xanax sometime for anxiety, so it's a better fit for me The sleep doctor told me, if Xanax is working for you stay with it.