Lunesta 3 mg (eszopiclone) and Ambien (zolpidem) are popular medications prescribed for insomnia. Both are effective in promoting sleep, but they differ in several ways. Lunesta is known for its longer duration of action, helping individuals stay asleep throughout the night, while Ambien works quickly to help people fall asleep but has a shorter duration. Common side effects for both include dizziness and next-day drowsiness, but Ambien may also cause complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking. Choosing between them depends on individual sleep needs and potential side effects, and should be done under medical guidance.