{"id":59302,"date":"2023-07-17T12:14:15","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T16:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59302"},"modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T14:54:38","slug":"zolpidem-tartrate-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zolpidem-tartrate-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Zolpidem alternatives: What can I take instead of Ambien?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zolpidem tartrate<\/a> (brand name Ambien<\/a>) is a generic prescription medication used to treat insomnia<\/a>. Depending on the formulation, zolpidem can help people fall asleep or stay asleep. It is available as immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets (Ambien CR<\/a>), sublingual tablets, and capsules. Zolpidem may not be right for everyone because of side effects, physical dependence, or other risks. Several prescription medications, over-the-counter options, and lifestyle changes may be considered as alternatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Save up to 80% on Ambien with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAmbien 10 mg (30 Tablets)\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.67\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.67\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tSee Ambien prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

What can I take instead of zolpidem tartrate?<\/h2>\n

Zolpidem is a nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, commonly called a Z-drug. It works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA),<\/a> a chemical messenger that reduces activity in the brain and promotes sleep. Zolpidem is generally intended for short-term treatment, and continued use should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How much is zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) without insurance?\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Several prescription medications may be used as alternatives to zolpidem for insomnia. These include other nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, orexin receptor antagonists such as Belsomra,\u00a0 benzodiazepines<\/a>, the tricyclic antidepressant<\/a> (TCA) doxepin<\/a>, and the melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon<\/a>. The most appropriate option depends on factors such as the type of insomnia, other health conditions, potential side effects, and drug interactions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0Compare Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) alternatives<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nPrice without insurance<\/b><\/td>\nSingleCare price<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ambien\u00a0<\/b>(zolpidem tartrate)<\/b><\/td>\n$869 for 30, 10 mg tablets\u00a0<\/td>\n$585 for 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Ambien at Publix<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Generic Ambien\u00a0<\/b>(zolpidem tartrate)<\/b><\/td>\n$108 for 30, 10 mg tablets\u00a0<\/td>\n$9 for 30, 10 mg tablets of generic Ambien at Kroger<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lunesta (eszopiclone)<\/b><\/td>\n$1,658 for 30, 3 mg tablets<\/td>\n$11 for 30, 3 mg tablets of generic Lunesta at Kroger<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zaleplon<\/b><\/td>\n$132 for 30, 10 mg capsules<\/td>\n$14 for 30, 10 mg capsules of generic zaleplon at Kroger<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Belsomra (suvorexant)<\/b><\/td>\n$624 for 30, 20 mg tablets<\/td>\n$397 for 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Belsomra at Kroger<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DAYVIGO (lemborexant)<\/b><\/td>\n$476 for 30, 10 mg tablets<\/td>\n$338 per 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name DAYVIGO at Kroger<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quviviq (daridorexant)<\/b><\/td>\n$685 for 30, 50 mg tablets<\/td>\n$438 for 30, 50 mg tablets of brand-name Quviviq at Kroger<\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Top 5 zolpidem tartrate alternatives<\/h2>\n

The following are some of the most common alternatives to zolpidem tartrate.<\/p>\n

1. Lunesta<\/h3>\n

Lunesta<\/a> is the brand name for eszopiclone<\/a>. It belongs to the same medication class as zolpidem and can help people fall asleep and stay asleep. A review of clinical trials<\/a> found that, compared with placebo, eszopiclone reduced the time it took to fall asleep by about 12 minutes, reduced wake time after sleep onset by about 17 minutes, and increased total sleep time by about 28 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunesta carries the same boxed warning for complex sleep behaviors<\/a> as zolpidem. These potentially serious side effects may include sleepwalking and other activities such as driving while asleep. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Lunesta and generic eszopiclone are available as tablets. The recommended starting dose for adults is 1 mg immediately before bedtime and may be increased to a maximum of 3 mg if needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Lunesta vs. Ambien: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2. Zaleplon<\/h3>\n

Zaleplon<\/a>, formerly sold under the brand name Sonata, belongs to the same medication class as zolpidem. It is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia involving difficulty falling asleep. Zaleplon has a very short half-life and has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, but it has not been shown to increase total sleep time or reduce nighttime awakenings. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests zaleplon as a treatment option for sleep-onset insomnia<\/a>, so it may be an option for people whose main problem is falling asleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Zaleplon also carries a boxed warning for complex sleep behaviors<\/a>, similar to zolpidem and eszopiclone. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, and drowsiness. Zaleplon is available as capsules, and the recommended dose for most adults is 10 mg immediately before bedtime. A 5 mg dose may be used for certain people, including older adults.\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. Belsomra<\/h3>\n

Belsomra<\/a> (suvorexant) is a brand-name medication that belongs to a different drug class than zolpidem. Belsomra is an orexin receptor antagonist used to treat insomnia involving difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It works by blocking the effects of orexin A and orexin B, chemical messengers that promote wakefulness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clinical trials<\/a> have shown that Belsomra can improve sleep onset and sleep maintenance. In one trial, after one month of treatment, objectively measured time to fall asleep decreased from about 69 minutes to 35 minutes, while patients’ estimated time to fall asleep decreased from about 64 minutes to 47 minutes. A separate polysomnography study<\/a> found increases in total sleep time after four weeks of treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Belsomra may be an option for people who have not had adequate improvement with zolpidem or other insomnia treatments. It is available as tablets. The recommended starting dose is 10 mg once per night, taken within 30 minutes of bedtime and with at least seven hours remaining before waking. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg if needed and tolerated.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Belsomra vs. Ambien: differences, similarities, and which is better for you\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

4. DAYVIGO<\/h3>\n

DAYVIGO<\/a> (lemborexant) is a brand-name medication in the orexin receptor antagonist drug class. It is used to treat insomnia involving difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. DAYVIGO works by blocking orexin A and orexin B, chemical messengers that promote wakefulness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clinical studies<\/a> have shown that DAYVIGO can improve sleep onset and sleep maintenance. In a study of adults ages 55 and older, both 5 mg and 10 mg doses improved sleep onset and maintenance compared with placebo. Compared with extended-release zolpidem, DAYVIGO also reduced wake time during the second half of the night<\/a> by about seven to eight minutes after one month.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

DAYVIGO may be an alternative for people who do not get enough benefit from zolpidem or who experience bothersome side effects. It is available as tablets and is typically started at 5 mg at bedtime, with the dose increased to 10 mg if needed and tolerated.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Learn more about DAYVIGO<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

5. Quviviq<\/h3>\n

Quviviq<\/a> (daridorexant) is a brand-name medication in the orexin receptor antagonist medication class. Working to suppress the wake drive like other drugs in this class, Quviviq can help people fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. In clinical studies<\/a>, Quviviq improved sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and patient-reported total sleep time compared with placebo, with improvements maintained through three months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Quviviq may be a good option for people who do not get enough relief from zolpidem or have trouble tolerating it. Quviviq is available as tablets and is typically dosed at 25 to 50 mg once nightly within 30 minutes of bedtime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Natural alternatives to zolpidem tartrate<\/h2>\n

Ambien alternatives that don\u2019t involve prescription medications include supplements, sleep hygiene improvements, and diet modifications that may help make falling and staying asleep easier.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some supplements commonly used for sleep include melatonin, valerian root, and magnesium, although evidence of their effectiveness for insomnia varies:\u00a0<\/p>\n