Well Ambien is the brand name (one of them) for Zolpidem. So that should take care of that.
As for the difference between Zopiclone and Zolpidem (Ambien):
Zopiclone increases both stage 2 and slow-wave sleep (SWS) while Zolpidem increases only SWS and causes no effect on stage 2 sleep.
Zopiclone is very similar pharmacologically to benzodiazepines.
Much as I'd like to: I cannot claim credit for the above ever so eloquent way of describing the difference i.e. I just did the hard work for you:
en.wikipedia.org
I can, however, attest to the fact that Zolpidem is active for a much shorter duration (around 3 hours if I'm not mistaken) and its purpose is to INDUCE initial sleep and let your body take over from there. Zopiclone is active for a far longer period of time (which I guess makes sense given the above little factoids).
The jury is out on the above though usually. In THEORY and IF your body takes over naturally from Zolpidem then it's ACTUAL sleep that you're getting this as opposed to, let's call it, a "drug induced" sleep which may or may not leave you feeling fresh and ready to take on the world when you wake up in the morning. Same principle as alcohol really i.e. while one may have a few drinks (or more) and go to bed there is evidence (scientific) that you're not REALLY getting any sleep (there's a whole explanation to this but which I don't recall in great and intricate detail).
I can also tell you that Zopiclone (7.5mg) gives you a hangover similar to a benzo. hangover (well it does me anyway). And some complain about a metallic taste that it leaves in your mouth both when taking it and for most of the next day (that's also my experience). But as has been noted above: some experience this and some don't and from what I gather it's brand related.
I don't know where you're from but I've never personally seem Zopiclone 10mg i.e. only ever seen or heard of 7.5mg. But I'm guessing (according to an Internet search anyway) that 10mg is available.
Just for fun here's a nice article for you (pretty nicely laid out and to the point):
Zolpidem vs Zopiclone: UK Meds answer the common question insomnia patients ask us - Is Zolpidem The Same As Zopiclone?
www.ukmeds.co.uk
If I personally were to make the choice: it'd be Zopiclone purely because I know that almost 100% of the time when you're "out" you're "out" until the next morning. With Zolpidem: you take your chances i.e. I've used them before too. It's not unheard of to fall asleep on Zolpidem and then wake up a few hours later and then spend the rest of the night and early morning staring at the ceiling.
Oh and Zolpidem and vats of booze are not a great combination either just by the way i.e. it's one sure fire way of doing things and not remembering what you did (or said) the next day.
Oh and also: Zolpidem you are SUPPOSED to take as soon as you get INTO bed i.e. not before and then wait to get sleepy as they don't work that way.
