Zolpidem Is a Prescription Sleep Medication Used to Treat Insomnia

Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic medication — commonly called a "Z-drug" — prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults who have difficulty falling asleep.

If you've been prescribed Zolpidem or are wondering whether it might help your sleep problems, this guide covers everything you need to know: what it is, how to take it, who should avoid it, and what it costs in 2026.

What Is Zolpidem?

Brand and Generic Names

Zolpidem Tartrate is the generic name. It's sold under several brand names:

• Ambien — Immediate-release tablet (5 mg, 10 mg)
• Ambien CR — Extended-release tablet (6.25 mg, 12.5 mg)
• Edluar — Sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablet (5 mg, 10 mg)
• Intermezzo — Low-dose sublingual tablet for middle-of-the-night awakenings (1.75 mg, 3.5 mg)
• Zolpimist — Oral spray (5 mg per spray)

Drug Class

Zolpidem belongs to the non-benzodiazepine hypnotic class. It acts on the same GABA receptors in the brain as benzodiazepines but is more selective, targeting primarily the alpha-1 subunit involved in sedation. This selectivity is what gives it a somewhat different side effect profile compared to older sleep medications. For a plain-English explanation, see how Zolpidem works.

Manufacturer and FDA Approval

Ambien was originally manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis and received FDA approval in 1992. Generic Zolpidem became available in 2007 and is now made by multiple manufacturers, which helps keep costs low and availability high.

Controlled Substance Status

Zolpidem is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA. This means it has a recognized medical use but carries some potential for dependence and abuse. Your prescriptions may have quantity limits and refill restrictions.

What Is Zolpidem Used For?

FDA-Approved Use

Zolpidem is approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia, specifically difficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia). It is intended for use when insomnia is severe enough to require medical treatment.

Extended-Release and Middle-of-Night Options

Ambien CR (extended-release) has a two-layer design — one layer to help you fall asleep and a second that dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep. Intermezzo is designed specifically for people who wake up in the middle of the night and need at least 4 more hours of sleep time.

Off-Label Uses

Some researchers have studied Zolpidem for disorders of consciousness (such as minimally conscious states), though this is not an FDA-approved use and is not common in routine practice.

How Is Zolpidem Taken?

Proper use of Zolpidem is critical for both safety and effectiveness:

• Timing: Take it immediately before bedtime, only when you have 7–8 hours before you need to wake up (4 hours for Intermezzo).
• Empty stomach: Food delays absorption and can reduce the medication's effectiveness.
• Swallow IR and ER tablets whole — don't crush, chew, or break them (especially the extended-release version).
• Sublingual tablets (Edluar, Intermezzo): Place under the tongue and let dissolve. Don't swallow with water.
• Oral spray (Zolpimist): Spray directly into the mouth over the tongue.

Dosage

Dosing depends on formulation, sex, and age:

• Immediate-release (IR): Women — 5 mg; Men — 5 mg or 10 mg
• Extended-release (ER): Women — 6.25 mg; Men — 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg
• Intermezzo (middle-of-night): Women — 1.75 mg; Men — 3.5 mg
• Elderly or debilitated patients: 5 mg IR or 6.25 mg ER
• Hepatic impairment: 5 mg

The FDA lowered recommended doses for women in 2013 after research showed women metabolize Zolpidem more slowly, leading to higher morning blood levels.

Who Should Not Take Zolpidem?

Zolpidem is not safe for everyone. You should not take it if you:

• Have a known allergy to Zolpidem or any ingredient in the formulation
• Have a history of complex sleep behaviors (sleepwalking, sleep-driving) while taking Zolpidem
• Have severe liver disease

Use caution if you:

• Take opioids, benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants
• Have depression or a history of suicidal thoughts
• Drink alcohol (avoid completely while taking Zolpidem)
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Always give your doctor a complete list of your medications and health conditions. See our guide on Zolpidem drug interactions for details.

How Much Does Zolpidem Cost?

One of the advantages of Zolpidem is that it's available as an affordable generic.

• Generic Zolpidem IR (30 tablets): $10–$20 with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon
• Generic Zolpidem ER (30 tablets): $20–$40 with coupons
• Brand Ambien (30 tablets): $60–$115 without insurance (rarely prescribed when generic is available)

Most insurance plans cover generic Zolpidem as a Tier 1 preferred generic, meaning low copays — often $0–$10. Some plans may impose quantity limits (typically 15–30 tablets per 30 days) or require prior authorization for brand-name or extended-release versions.

For more ways to save, check out our guide to Zolpidem coupons, discounts, and patient assistance programs.

Final Thoughts

Zolpidem is a well-established, effective sleep medication that has been helping people with insomnia since 1992. It comes in multiple formulations to match different sleep problems, and the generic version is both widely available and affordable. Like any medication, it works best when taken exactly as prescribed and under the guidance of your doctor.

If you have a prescription and need help finding a pharmacy with Zolpidem in stock, try Medfinder. And if you're still deciding whether Zolpidem is right for you, talk to your doctor — our guide on finding a doctor who prescribes Zolpidem can help you get started.