Ambien, whose generic name is zolpidem, is a prescription medication used primarily to treat insomnia. It belongs to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics, which work by affecting chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems.
Uses Insomnia: Ambien is used to help with difficulty falling asleep. The immediate-release form is typically prescribed to initiate sleep, while the extended-release form (Ambien CR) is used to help maintain sleep.