Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMBIEN versus EQUANIL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMBIEN versus EQUANIL.
AMBIEN vs EQUANIL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA. Binds selectively to the alpha-1 subunit, producing sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor positive allosteric modulator; increases frequency of chloride channel opening, potentiating inhibitory neurotransmission.
5-10 mg orally once daily at bedtime, maximum 10 mg/day.
400 mg orally 3-4 times daily; maximum 2400 mg/day. Alternatively, 200 mg orally 3-4 times daily for mild anxiety.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 2.6 hours (range 1.4–4.5 hours). In elderly patients, half-life may be prolonged to about 2.9 hours. In patients with hepatic cirrhosis, half-life is significantly increased (up to 9.8 hours).
Terminal elimination half-life is 6-20 hours (mean 10 hours). In hepatic cirrhosis, half-life may be prolonged to 24-36 hours due to impaired clearance.
Primarily renal excretion: approximately 56% of the dose is recovered in urine as metabolites (including 5% unchanged drug). Fecal excretion accounts for about 34% of the dose. Small amounts are excreted in bile.
Primarily renal excretion of conjugated metabolites (inactive); approximately 90% of a dose is excreted in urine, with less than 10% in feces. Less than 5% is excreted unchanged.
Category C
Category C
Sedative-Hypnotic
Sedative-Hypnotic