Learn how Ambien works for insomnia, its benefits, side effects, and safer alternatives. A must-read guide for anyone using or considering Ambien. Ambien is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. Ambien (zolpidem) affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems (insomnia). Ambien is used to treat insomnia. The immediate-release tablet is used to help you fall asleep when you first go to bed. As of September 2018, zolpidem is marketed under many brands, examples include: Ambien 5 mg & 10 mg (IR oral tablets), Ambien CR 6.25 mg & 12.5 mg (controlled release tablets), Edluar 5 mg & 10 mg (sublingual tablets), Intermezzo 1.75 mg & 3.5 mg (sublingual tablets), and ZolpiMist 5 mg (oral spray). [1][100][12] Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping). It belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which slows down the nervous system. Zolpidem will help you get to sleep faster and sleep throughout the night. Ambien, with the active ingredient zolpidem, is FDA-approved to treat insomnia. It’s in a drug class with sedative/hypnotic medications. Ambien targets specific receptors in the brain that inhibit certain types of activity in the brain, which can induce and maintain sleep. Detailed dosage guidelines and administration information for Ambien (zolpidem tartrate). Includes dose adjustments, warnings and precautions. Ambien (Zolpidem) is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine. AMBIEN is used in adults for the short-term treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia. Learn about side effects, dosage, interactions, and warning. Zolpidem (Ambien) is commonly used short-term to help treat insomnia. It can be used to help people fall asleep faster or help them wake up less times during the night. It's not likely you'll become dependent on zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar). Zolpidem and sleep medicines like it, such as eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zaleplon (Sonata), can be effective. They're much less likely to be habit-forming than some other medicines that may be prescribed for sleep problems. Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine that is used in adults for the short-term treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia (trouble falling asleep).