What Is Zolpidem Used For?

Many people may wonder, "What is zolpidem used for?" Zolpidem is a type of sleep medicine that is licensed to treat short-term insomnia in adults. The prescription drug has proven to be effective in relieving symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, waking up too early in the morning, and waking up often during the night. Currently, zolpidem is not approved for use in people under 18 years of age.

 

What Is Zolpidem Used For?

Zolpidem (Ambien®) is a sleeping medication that has been licensed to treat short-term insomnia (also known as transient or acute insomnia). It is generally used for a couple of days to a few weeks.
 

What Is Insomnia?

It is not unusual to have trouble sleeping from time to time. However, if you feel that you do not get enough sleep or cannot obtain satisfying sleep, you could possibly have a sleep disorder called insomnia. People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
 
  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
  • Waking up too early in the morning
  • Non-refreshing sleep.
     
There are several types of insomnia. Insomnia types are often based on how long the insomnia lasts and how often it occurs. These types include:
 
  • Acute insomnia (short-term)
  • Transient insomnia (comes and goes)
  • Chronic insomnia.
     
Short-term insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. It is often caused by emotional or physical discomfort, and can be related to a single specific event.
 
Each year, about 60 million Americans have insomnia.
 
(Click Insomnia Causes or Types of Insomnia for more information.)
 
(What Is Zolpidem Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;