Zolpidem vs Temazepam: what is the difference?
Temazepam is a full benzodiazepine that also eases anxiety and relaxes muscle, while zolpidem is not a benzodiazepine and targets sedation more selectively.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Each molecule's own drawing, as its page shows it. The common core, 7 of 23 atoms, is too small to align on.
Side by side
| Zolpidem | Temazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 307.4 g/molC19H21N3O | 300.74 g/molC16H13ClN2O2 |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 0 | 1 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Sleep medicines | Benzodiazepines |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Aromatics, Amides | Alcohols, Aromatics, Amides, Halogenated |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA via PubChem | Warning | Warning |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 5732 (Zolpidem) and 5391 (Temazepam).
In more detail
Both act on the GABA-A receptor and both are prescribed for insomnia. Temazepam is a full benzodiazepine and binds across the receptor subtypes, so it carries the anxiety-reducing and muscle-relaxing effects of the class along with the sedation. Zolpidem is an imidazopyridine, not a benzodiazepine at all, and favours the alpha-1 subtype that mediates sedation specifically, which is why it does comparatively little for anxiety. Zolpidem also acts and clears faster, with a half-life near 2.5 hours against temazepam's 8 to 10. Both are controlled substances in the US.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Zolpidem and Temazepam?
- Temazepam is a full benzodiazepine that also eases anxiety and relaxes muscle, while zolpidem is not a benzodiazepine and targets sedation more selectively.
- Is Zolpidem bigger than Temazepam?
- Zolpidem is the heavier molecule, 307.4 g/mol against 300.74 g/mol for Temazepam. Zolpidem is C19H21N3O and Temazepam is C16H13ClN2O2.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.