Ambien vs. Restoril

See how Ambien and Restoril compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Andre Stone | MD

Medically reviewed by Andre Stone | MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on August 25th, 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Ambien is a non-benzodiazepine approved specifically for trouble falling asleep, while Restoril is a benzodiazepine approved for insomnia more broadly.

  • Both are Schedule IV controlled substances intended for short-term use. Restoril has boxed warnings about benzodiazepine abuse, addiction, dependence, withdrawal, and dangerous interactions with opioids. Ambien has a different boxed warning about complex sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking or driving while not fully awake, which can cause serious injury or death.

  • Generic prices vary by pharmacy, dose, insurance, and discounts. The milligram dose ranges of Ambien and Restoril should not be compared as measures of strength or value.

Ambien vs. Restoril Drug Summary

Ambien

Ambien (zolpidem) is a non-benzodiazepine GABA-A receptor agonist used for short-term treatment of insomnia when the main problem is trouble falling asleep. It is taken as a single tablet on an empty stomach right before bed, at 5 mg or 10 mg depending on sex and liver function. It has been FDA-approved since 1992.

Restoril

Restoril (temazepam) is a benzodiazepine hypnotic approved for short-term treatment of insomnia in general, not just difficulty falling asleep. It is taken as a single capsule at bedtime, with doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 30 mg depending on age and response. It has been FDA-approved since 1981.

Ambien vs. Restoril Side Effects

Ambien

Most common
dizziness (up to 23.5%)
headache (up to 19%)
diarrhea (1% to 10%)
nausea (1% to 10%)

Restoril

Most common
drowsiness (up to 9.1%)
headache (up to 8.5%)
fatigue (up to 4.8%)
nervousness (up to 4.6%)

Ambien vs. Restoril Dosage

Ambien

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 5 mg once nightly At the start
Maximum dose 10 mg once nightly If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Restoril

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 7.5 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 30 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Ambien vs. Restoril Indications

Ambien

Ambien is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia when the main symptom is difficulty falling asleep. It is not approved for long-term nightly use or for use in children.

  • Difficulty falling asleep (sleep onset insomnia)

  • Short-term use only, typically days to a few weeks

  • Not approved for chronic nightly use

  • Not approved for pediatric patients

Restoril

Restoril is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia in general, without specifying whether the problem is falling asleep or staying asleep. It is intended for very brief use, typically no more than 7 to 10 days.

  • General insomnia symptoms

  • Short-term use only, typically 7 to 10 days

  • Not approved for anxiety disorders

  • Not approved for long-term routine use

Ambien vs. Restoril Pros and Cons

Ambien

Ambien's non-benzodiazepine mechanism and lower typical dose range make it a common first-line choice for sleep-onset insomnia. It is generally less expensive at generic pricing than Restoril, though brand pricing can be very high.

Pros

  • Non-benzodiazepine, may carry less stigma

  • Lower typical dose range (5-10 mg)

  • Generic pricing often $15 to $90 per month

  • No boxed warning for abuse or opioid interaction

Cons

  • Only approved for sleep-onset insomnia specifically

  • Risk of complex sleep behaviors like sleep-walking

  • Higher dose (10 mg) linked to more next-day impairment

  • Still a controlled substance with dependence risk

Restoril

Restoril's benzodiazepine mechanism and broader dosing range can address a wider range of insomnia symptoms, but it carries boxed warnings absent from Ambien's label. Its typical list price is substantially higher than Ambien's generic price.

Pros

  • Approved for general insomnia, not just onset

  • Longer duration of action may aid staying asleep

  • Wider dose range (7.5-30 mg) allows titration

  • Long track record since 1981 approval

Cons

  • Boxed warning for abuse, misuse, and addiction risk

  • Boxed warning for danger when combined with opioids

  • Contraindicated in pregnancy

  • Typical cost of $920 to $1,270 per month, far above Ambien's generic price

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.

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