Xanax and Ambien – Know The Differences, Risks, and Effects on Health
Ambien and Xanax are both commonly prescribed drugs used to treat sleep disorders like insomnia. However, when it comes to their chemical compound and best uses, they serve different purposes and come with unique risks.
While Xanax is primarily prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders, Ambien is used to treat insomnia. But both drugs can alleviate insomnia symptoms because they calm the central nervous system.
Understanding these two drugs is crucial, especially given their potential for abuse and dependence. This guide will explore Xanax and Ambien safety – addressing, “Can you take Xanax and Ambien together?” What Xanax and Ambien do, their risks, and the health effects you should be aware of when using these medications.
Ambien is a medication prescribed for common sleep disorders, mainly insomnia. Ambien’s commercial name is Zolpidem (aka a Z-drug, or the Ambien sleeping pill); it is a prescription medication that is classified as a sedative-hypnotic.
Insomnia is an increasingly common condition. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 1 in 3 adults (about 84 million) struggle with proper sleep, and as many as 70 million Americans are diagnosed with sleep disorders such as chronic insomnia [1].
Sleep is a vital part of our health and daily function – with so many suffering from acute and long-term sleep issues, medication like Ambien (Zolpidem) has increased in popularity. However, Ambien is not recommended for long-term use due to its propensity to addiction and abuse. These concerns prompt doctors to help their patients seek alternative long-term care such as melatonin, yogic breath work, EMDR, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Ambien is a sleep aid that enhances the activity of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, to promote sedation and help with sleep. Ambien targets specific GABA receptors responsible for your sleep regulation. Unlike benzodiazepines, which impact a larger range of receptors, Ambien primarily influences the BZ1 receptor. Because of this specificity, Ambien has potentially fewer side effects than other benzodiazepines like Xanax. Conversely, Ambien is so specific it is not an effective treatment for seizures or muscle relaxation.
Xanax is a medication primarily used for the treatment of anxiety disorders and occasionally for off-label uses of insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms, premenstrual syndrome, and depression [2,3].
Xanax’s medical name is Alprazolam. Alprazolam (unlike Ambien) is a Benzodiazepine. It works by targeting the GABA-A receptor to produce calming effects. While Ambien more specifically affects BZ1 within GABA, Xanax works more broadly and affects a variety of GABA-A receptors, leading to sedation, anxiety relief, and muscle relaxation.
Xanax is arguably more powerful than Ambien, as Benzodiazepines heavily influence the central nervous system (CNS) by calming it down and preventing the reuptake of dopamine and serotonin. Because Benzodiazepine causes a blockage of reuptake transmitters, there can be a surplus of dopamine and serotonin. Without drugs, these naturally occurring chemicals regulate themselves, but Xanax can disrupt the regulation, leading to a euphoric feeling, which for some may be addictive, especially when misused or abused.
Unless otherwise explicitly prescribed by your physician, you should never combine Xanax and Ambien.
Polydrug use – the act of mixing multiple drugs such as benzodiazepines, sedatives, or opioids – is extremely dangerous and contributes to a high volume of emergency room visits and overdose deaths.
The most common polysubstance abuse deaths occur from the combination of opioids and stimulants. The next most common are benzodiazepines (like Xanax) and opioids.
While Ambien is considered a sedative and Xanax a benzodiazepine, the combination of these two drugs can have adverse effects on the CNS. Both drugs act as a depressant that deeply relaxes the body, including the heart rate, which can have life-threatening consequences.
Other side effects attributed to the combined use of Xanax and Ambien include:
In some cases, combining a CNS depressant with another depressant (such as Ambien, Xanax, alcohol, or especially opioids) can lead to a dangerous slowdown in heart rate and breathing, known as respiratory depression. This drop in blood flow can prevent the heart from delivering enough oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. As a result, the heart may go into cardiac arrest, potentially causing brain damage, coma, or even death.
Ambien has several adverse physical effects ranging in severity. Some of these negative effects include:
While some of these symptoms may be manageable, others may escalate to more urgent or unbearable side effects. If you are experiencing these issues and cannot find relief, talk to your doctor.
Although rare, Ambien is also associated with some mental health risks, including:
While these mental side effects are not the norm with Ambien usage, prolonged use – particularly for women and adults over the age of 65 – may make you more susceptible to these adverse effects [12]. Be mindful of your thoughts and actions, or ask someone else to monitor these symptoms should they occur.
When used responsibly under medical supervision, Ambien can provide temporary relief. However, the risks associated with Ambien can not be overlooked as it still carries the risk of addiction, particularly for those with a history of substance abuse, prolonged use, and misuse [10].
Although addiction may be daunting, there is help to support you in your recovery. Read on for additional information on prescription drug addiction and who to call for help.
Xanax, similar to Ambien, may cause serious adverse effects. Some of these are similar to the effects of Ambien as they are both CNS depressants. Xanax may cause the following effects:
* symptoms with an asterix are also known symptoms of Ambien
Some could argue that Xanax has potentially more intense and consequential withdrawal symptoms than Ambien after prolonged use. The following denote some of these adverse effects for Xanax:
Although rare, in extreme cases of Xanax Withdrawal, a patient could experience:
If you or someone else exhibits these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Xanax, Ambien, and many other sedative-hypnotics, whether benzodiazepine or nonbenzodiazepine, are not recommended for long-term use. While chronic insomnia can feel extremely overwhelming, there are a variety of options outside of medication that may provide relief for sleep disorders.
The first is cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT). This form of therapy is well-established in the counseling world and has proved to be as effective as sedative medication. CBT retrains the brain, helping it reshape negative behaviors and thoughts associated with sleep [4]. Many patients have experienced long-term success with CBT, noting improved sleep behaviors and overall quality of life. Additionally, CBT proved to be effective for patients with and without co-occurring mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. [4].
A more recently discovered therapeutic breakthrough for insomnia is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) treatment. The therapy involves specific eye movements and patterns while processing moments of trauma [5]. This treatment is also used for those who have PTSD, but insomnia is linked to trauma for many individuals, making EMDR a viable resource.
Other non-medicated sleep therapies include breath work, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness exercises. These exercises produce the best results with time; the more a person establishes a healthy sleep routine, the better their chances are of reducing episodes of insomnia.
Non-drug therapies are highly preferred over long-term dependency on sleep aid medications. However, due to the nature of individuals who struggle with insomnia and the presence of other traumatic experiences, the ability to sustain these behavioral techniques is challenging. This is why many may opt for occasional medical assistance via benzodiazepines and sedative drugs. These interventions should be short-term and carefully managed by clinicians to ensure safety and avoid dependence.
As previously mentioned, the following side effects are common for BOTH Xanax and Ambien:
However, when combining these two drugs, the body is forced to handle two different types of CNS depressants at the same time. Depending on the various factors, like your metabolism, age, weight, sex, and history with the prescription medication, you may experience severe outcomes.
Notably, the most significant risk of taking these two drugs is the increased possibility of overdose. Polydrug abuse, like taking Xanax and Ambien together, can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death.
The typical half life of Xanax is 11 hours, which means it will take about 2-3 days to clear out of your system. Ambien has a much shorter half-life of about 2 hours, meaning Ambien can potentially clear out of your system in as little as 12 hours.
However, you should not take Xanax and Ambien in close time proximity to one another. Consult your doctor before taking one with the drug, even within a few days of the other.
Generally, taking Xanax and Ambien together is not recommended unless specifically prescribed by your doctor. Both substances are central nervous system depressants, and combining them can lead to dangerous overdose side effects like increased sedation, respiratory depression, and even coma or death.
Individually, Ambien and Xanax can be taken safely when used as prescribed for short-term treatment. However, the risks of potential addiction and abuse are prevalent, especially for individuals with a history of substance abuse. Consult your doctor to see if you would be a good candidate for these medications. Users should also be careful with other drug interactions and avoid alcohol and any opioid use.
While Ambien is intended to treat insomnia, some people may experience the mental health side effects of increased anxiety. This is also a possible indicator of dependence, as anxiety is a withdrawal symptom of Ambien. Talk to your doctor if you need assistance coming off of Ambien.
Ambien and Xanax both have sedative and relaxing effects on the GABA receptors in the central nervous system. While they may provide short-term relief for insomnia and other off-label uses, they are also schedule IV controlled substances by the FDA due to their risk of addiction and abuse.
If you or someone else is struggling with addiction to prescription drugs like Xanax or Ambien, California Detox offers personalized treatment administered by compassionate clinicians. Our treatment programs provide:
Find effective treatment for prescription drug addiction today by calling our team at (888) 995-4208.
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