Benzodiazepine vs. Zolpidem — What's the Difference?

Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), sometimes called "benzos", are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. As depressants—drugs which lower brain activity—they are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

Zolpidem, sold under the brand name Ambien, among others, is a medication primarily used for the short-term treatment of sleeping problems. Guidelines recommend that it be used only after cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and behavioral changes, such as sleep hygiene, have been tried.

Any of a group of chemical compounds with a common molecular structure and similar pharmacological effects, used as antianxiety agents, muscle relaxants, sedatives, hypnotics, and sometimes as anticonvulsants.

A non-benzodiazepine sleep-inducing drug, C19H21N3O, used in its tartrate form to treat insomnia.

(pharmaceutical drug) Any of a class of psychoactive drugs, structured upon diazepine, used in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and other related disorders.

(pharmaceutical drug) A sedative and hypnotic drug administered orally in the form of its tartrate (C₁₉H₂₁N₃O)₂·C₄H₆O₆ in the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is marketed under the trademark Ambien, Stilnox.

Any of several similar lipophilic amines used as tranquilizers or sedatives or hypnotics or muscle relaxants; chronic use can lead to dependency