Zolpidem tablets pictured by the U.S. Department of Justice.
United States Department of Justice · Public domain
About Zolpidem
Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic insomnia medicine, including Ambien and Ambien CR.
Also searched as: Z-drug · Ambien · Ambien CR · Edluar
Available strengths
Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.
| Product & formulation | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Zolpidem tartrate Immediate-release oral tablet | 5 mg · 10 mgProduct label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
Dosages in the product label
Zolpidem immediate-release tablets — Short-term sleep-onset insomnia
Population: Adults
Initial: 5 mg for women; 5 or 10 mg for men, once before bedtime. Maximum: 10 mg once nightly.
At least 7–8 hours must remain before planned waking. Geriatric patients and mild/moderate hepatic impairment: 5 mg. Not an ER regimen.
Prescribing information · Checked 2026-10-31
Buy Zolpidem: pricing & legal access
Zolpidem online: availability & product information
Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.
| Product / strength | Quantity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic zolpidem 5 mg Immediate-release oral tablet | 30 tablets | $6.34–$9.43 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
| Generic zolpidem 10 mg Immediate-release oral tablet | 10 tablets | $4.96 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.
Zolpidem information
Uses and formulations
Immediate-release and extended-release products have different sleep-related uses and instructions. It is not a benzodiazepine, despite overlapping sedating effects.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Zolpidem
Side effects and serious risks
Drowsiness and next-day impairment can occur. Complex sleep behaviors, such as sleep-driving, can cause serious injury.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Zolpidem
Dosage and directions
Use only when the prescribed sleep opportunity is available. Do not take extra doses after waking unless the specific prescription directs it.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Zolpidem
Interactions and precautions
Avoid alcohol. Opioids and other sedatives increase danger. Report any complex sleep behavior promptly to the prescriber.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Zolpidem
U.S. federal classification
Listed federally in Schedule IV. Classification does not by itself establish that a particular product is approved or that an online transaction is lawful. State requirements and product-specific rules also apply.
Sources: DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
Pharmacology and mechanism
Zolpidem is a nonbenzodiazepine sleep medicine acting at GABA-A receptor sites. It can impair awareness and coordination even when someone does not feel markedly sleepy.
Formulations and product identification
The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.
| Product or formulation | Important distinction |
|---|---|
| Immediate-release zolpidem | Different sleep-related use from extended-release products. |
| Extended-release zolpidem | Can produce a different next-morning exposure profile. |
Monitoring and treatment follow-up
Next-day impairment and complex sleep behaviors are separate issues. People may perform activities while not fully awake and later have no memory of them. Such events have caused serious injuries.
Dependence and stopping treatment
Repeated use can produce dependence. Taking more medicine because sleep remains difficult can increase harm rather than resolve the cause of insomnia. Persistent sleep problems need reassessment of the treatment plan.
How it differs from related medicines
Zolpidem is not a benzodiazepine, but that distinction does not remove sedation or interaction concerns. It also should not be substituted for another sleeping medicine by simply matching tablet strength.
Sources and editorial notes
Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.
- MedlinePlus — Zolpidem
- DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
- FDA — Z-drugs and complex sleep behaviors
- DailyMed — Zolpidem tablets product label
- Drugs.com — zolpidem price guide
Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.