Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for you to go to sleep, stay asleep, or both.
Ambien is in a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. They work by slowing the activity in your brain, which allows for a state of sleep.
Sanofi-Aventis makes Ambien, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992.
Several companies make generic zolpidem, which became available in 2007.
In addition to Ambien, zolpidem is available as:
- Edluar, a sublingual tablet (placed under your tongue)
- Zolpimist, an oral spray
- Intermezzo, a rapid-acting sublingual tablet
- Ambien CR, an extended release tablet with one layer to help you go to sleep and another to help you stay asleep
