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. 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-hypnotic (sleep) medicine that is used in adults for the short-term treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia (trouble falling asleep). Ambien (zolpidem) is not a benzo (benzodiazepine), it is unique in its action and does not resemble benzodiazepines or barbiturates at all. But it does work similarly. Both benzodiazepines and Ambien are thought to enhance the effects of a specific neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA. 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 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. Learn about Ambien uses, dosage, warnings, side effects, precautions, drug interactions, overdose risks and important safety information. 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] 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.