What is Ambien?
Ambien is the brand name of zolpidem. Due to a pervasive advertising campaign, the drug’s properties as a sleep aid are widely known, and even notorious, in popular culture. It is primarily prescribed as a temporary treatment for insomnia. Ambien is taken by mouth as a small, oblong tablet or as an extended-release tablet. Some people may crush up the pills and snort them to get a stronger effect. Slang terms for Ambien include no-gos, zombie pills, sleepeasy, tic-tacs and A-minus.

Ambien was primarily marketed as an alternative to benzodiazepines, like Halcion, which were coming under public scrutiny for their addictive potential and other side effects. The makers of Ambien claimed their drug was safer and less addictive.

Overview