Silenor vs Ambien – detailed comparison:
Silenor
It is the brand name of a drug called doxepin, which belongs to a group of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants.
Mechanism of Action
It increases the brain’s levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, two chemicals known as neurotransmitters that relay messages in the brain.
Uses
This prescription medication is used to treat insomnia in people who have trouble staying asleep.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 6 mg once per day.
Note – it may take 7 to 10 days before your insomnia symptoms improve.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- a sore throat;
- tired feeling;
- sneezing;
- drowsiness;
- stuffy nose;
- vision changes;
- nausea.
Rare side effects may include:
- unusual weakness;
- seeing halos around lights;
- easy bruising or bleeding;
- eye pain or swelling;
- little or no urinating;
- tunnel vision;
- vomiting;
- blurred vision;
- uncontrollable shaking;
- uneven heart rate;
- restless muscle movements in your tongue, jaw, eyes, or neck;
- a feeling like you might pass out;
- thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
- feeling agitated;
- trouble sleeping;
- worsening symptoms of depression;
- seizure (convulsions);
- unusual thoughts or behavior.
Contraindications
Before taking this tricyclic antidepressant, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
- liver disease;
- sleep apnea (the breathing stops during sleep);
- diabetes;
- a history of depression or addiction to drugs;
- urination problems;
- if you have ever had glaucoma;
- kidney disease.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this tricyclic antidepressant since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of severe side effects.
Drug Interactions
It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:
- Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine);
- Abilify (aripiprazole);
- levothyroxine;
- alprazolam;
- Lunesta (eszopiclone);
- Ambien (zolpidem);
- Lyrica (pregabalin);
- Ativan (lorazepam);
- oxycodone;
- adderall;
- Belsomra (suvorexant);
- Prozac (fluoxetine);
- clonazepam;
- Synthroid (levothyroxine);
- Cymbalta (duloxetine);
- Zoloft (sertraline);
- gabapentin;
- Xanax (alprazolam);
- Klonopin (clonazepam);
- trazodone;
- Lexapro (escitalopram);
- tramadol;
- melatonin;
- tracleer;
- prednisone;
- metformin.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
There are no well-done studies to determine whether this tricyclic antidepressant is safe to use during pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider that you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before using this medication.
It passes into human breast milk, and it could negatively affect a breastfed infant. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding a baby before using this tricyclic antidepressant.
Ambien
It is the brand name of a drug called zolpidem, which belongs to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics.
Mechanism of Action
It acts on the brain to produce a calming effect by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a chemical in the body that causes sleepiness.
Uses
This prescription medication is used to treat insomnia.
Note – healthcare professionals usually prescribe this medication for 1 to 2 weeks or less since its active ingredient can have some negative side effects.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 5 to 10 mg which is taken orally once a day immediately before bedtime.
Drug Interactions
This sedative-hypnotic may negatively interact with other drugs. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take:
- sedatives;
- medications for anxiety;
- allergy medicines;
- nexplanon;
- antidepressants, like sertraline (Zoloft) and imipramine (Tofranil);
- cold medicines;
- drugs for mental illness;
- tranquilizers;
- Dexmethylphenidate;
- medicines for seizures;
- chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
- pain medicines;
- rifampin (Rimactane);
- sleeping pills;
- antifungal medicines including ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox);
- Vyvanse;
- briviact;
- miralax;
- Dulera;
- elective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists (Lumify).
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- headaches;
- loss of coordination;
- diarrhea;
- “drugged” or light-headed feeling;
- nausea;
- weakness;
- dry mouth;
- tired feeling;
- stuffy nose;
- dizziness;
- nose or throat irritation;
- daytime drowsiness;
- constipation;
- upset stomach;
- muscle pain.
Rare side effects may include:
- chest pain;
- feeling like you might pass out;
- trouble breathing;
- fast or irregular heartbeat;
- problems swallowing;
- feeling short of breath.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It passes into human breast milk, and it could negatively affect a breastfed infant. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding a baby before using this sedative-hypnotic.
There are no well-done studies to determine whether this sedative-hypnotic is safe to use during pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider that you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before using this sedative-hypnotic.
Contraindications
To make sure that this sedative-hypnotic is safe for you, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
- a history of mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts;
- liver disease;
- a history of drug addiction;
- sleep apnea (the breathing stops during sleep);
- a lung disease like – bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema;
- myasthenia gravis (a long-term autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles);
- kidney disease.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this sedative-hypnotic since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of severe side effects.
Bottom Line – Silenor vs Ambien
Silenor (doxepin) is a prescription medication that is used to treat insomnia (trouble with sleeping), anxiety and depression.
Ambien (active ingredient – zolpidem) is a sedative that affects chemicals in the brain, which may be unbalanced in sufferers with insomnia.
In conclusion, both medications are used to treat sleep problems, but they have different active ingredients and mechanisms of action. Also, they both have plenty of side effects.
Regarding their price, the average retail price for 30 tablets of Silenor 6mg is $445, while the average retail price for 30 tablets of Ambien 5mg is $601.
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References https://www.pbm.va.gov/PBM/clinicalguidance/drugmonographs/Doxepin_Low_ https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2010/022036Orig1s000MedR.pdf https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080415005702/en/Somaxon-