Ambien, the brand name for the drug zolpidem, is a widely prescribed medication primarily used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. Classified as a sedative-hypnotic, Ambien works by slowing down brain activity to help individuals fall asleep more quickly and maintain restful sleep. It is typically recommended for people who experience difficulty initiating sleep, as opposed to those who struggle mainly with staying asleep throughout the night. The drug was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992 and has since become one of the most recognized sleep aids worldwide.