zolpidem
Brand names: Ambien
Zolpidem (Ambien) is a medication that helps you fall asleep faster. It is for short-term use only.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$20.57/unit
Generic Price
$4.69/unit
Generic Savings
77%
Generic Available
Yes (12 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia when you have trouble falling asleep.
Common side effects
Drowsiness, Dizziness, Diarrhea
Key warnings
Zolpidem can cause complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and doing other activities while not fully awake.
How It Works
Zolpidem affects a chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA helps to slow down brain activity. By affecting GABA, zolpidem helps you to feel sleepy.
How to Take It
Take zolpidem right before bed when you are ready to sleep. Make sure you have 7-8 hours to sleep before you need to wake up. The usual starting dose is 5 mg for women and 5 mg or 10 mg for men. Do not take more than 10 mg in a day. Taking it with or right after a meal may make it work slower.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Taking zolpidem late in pregnancy may cause breathing problems and sleepiness in the newborn. If you are breastfeeding, pump and discard breast milk during treatment and for 23 hours after taking zolpidem.
Missed Dose
Take zolpidem only when you are ready to sleep. If you miss a dose, do not take it later unless you still have 7-8 hours to sleep.
Storage
Store zolpidem at room temperature (68°F-77°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 65,926 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 131,653 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2001–2025.
Total Reports
131,653
Death-Related Reports
15,695
Hospitalization Reports
45,304
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 8,550 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 8,384 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 8,143 |
| 4 | PAIN | 6,377 |
| 5 | INSOMNIA | 6,249 |
| 6 | HEADACHE | 6,222 |
| 7 | DIARRHOEA | 5,861 |
| 8 | FALL | 5,524 |
| 9 | ANXIETY | 5,428 |
| 10 | DIZZINESS | 5,197 |
| 11 | DYSPNOEA | 5,192 |
| 12 | VOMITING | 4,863 |
| 13 | DEPRESSION | 4,473 |
| 14 | ASTHENIA | 4,434 |
| 15 | COMPLETED SUICIDE | 4,172 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Zolpidem can cause complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking, sleep driving, and doing other activities while not fully awake. Some of these events can cause serious injuries or even death. Stop taking zolpidem right away if you experience any of these behaviors.
Known Drug Interactions
John's wort): Combination use may decrease effect ( 7.2 ) Ketoconazole: Combination use may increase effect ( 7.2 ) 7.1 CNS-Active Drugs CNS Depressants Coadministration of Zolpidem with other CNS depressants increases the risk of CNS depression. CYP3A4 Inhibitors Ketoconazole Ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, increased the exposure to and pharmacodynamic effects of Zolpidem.
Mechanism: Ketoconazole blocks the liver enzyme that breaks down zolpidem, which causes the sleep medicine to stay in your body longer.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of zolpidem and monitor you for increased sleepiness.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CNS depressants, including alcohol: Possible adverse additive CNS- depressant effects ( 5.1 , 7.1 ) Opioids: Concomitant use may increase risk of respiratory depression ( 5.7 , 7.1 ) Imipramine: Decreased alertness observed ( 7.1 ) Chlorpromazine: Impaired alertness and psychomotor performance observed ( 7.1 ) CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin or St. CYP3A4 Inducers Rifampin Rifampin, a CYP3A4 inducer, significantly reduced the exposure to and the pharmacodynamic effects of Zolpidem. Use of Rifampin in combination with Zolpidem may decrease the efficacy of Zolpidem and is not re...
Mechanism: Rifampin speeds up how fast your body gets rid of zolpidem, which makes the sleep medicine much less effective.
What to do: This combination is not recommended because the zolpidem will likely not work well enough to help you sleep.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CNS depressants, including alcohol: Possible adverse additive CNS- depressant effects ( 5.1 , 7.1 ) Opioids: Concomitant use may increase risk of respiratory depression ( 5.7 , 7.1 ) Imipramine: Decreased alertness observed ( 7.1 ) Chlorpromazine: Impaired alertness and psychomotor performance observed ( 7.1 ) CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin or St. Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets and opioids [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Imipramine, Chlorpromazine Imipramine in combination with Zolpidem prod...
Mechanism: Both drugs slow down the central nervous system, which can lead to a combined effect that makes you feel much less alert.
What to do: Be very careful when performing tasks that require focus and talk to your doctor about the risks of taking these together.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CNS depressants, including alcohol: Possible adverse additive CNS- depressant effects ( 5.1 , 7.1 ) Opioids: Concomitant use may increase risk of respiratory depression ( 5.7 , 7.1 ) Imipramine: Decreased alertness observed ( 7.1 ) Chlorpromazine: Impaired alertness and psychomotor performance observed ( 7.1 ) CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin or St. Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of Zolpidem Tartrate Tablets and opioids [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Imipramine, Chlorpromazine Imipramine in combination with Zolpidem prod...
Mechanism: These medicines both cause drowsiness and slow down your physical reactions, which can impair your coordination and alertness.
What to do: Use caution when moving around or driving, as this combination can significantly affect your ability to stay awake and react quickly.
Sertraline Concomitant administration of Zolpidem and sertraline increases exposure to Zolpidem [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].
Mechanism: Sertraline increases the amount of zolpidem that stays in your bloodstream.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitor you for increased side effects like sleepiness.
Common Questions
Can I take zolpidem every night?
Can I drink alcohol while taking zolpidem?
What should I do if I feel sleepy the next day?
Can I drive after taking zolpidem?
Is zolpidem addictive?
Can I take more than 10 mg of zolpidem?
What if zolpidem doesn't help me sleep?
Can I stop taking zolpidem suddenly?
Does zolpidem interact with other medications?
Can children take zolpidem?
What are the common side effects of zolpidem?
Does zolpidem interact with other medications?
What drug class is zolpidem?
Is there a generic version of zolpidem?
Is zolpidem safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotic (Z-Drug)
Other drugs grouped near zolpidem — same-class peers and common alternatives.
eszopiclone
Lunesta
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) is a medicine that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.
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lemborexant
Dayvigo
Dayvigo is a medicine that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
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melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone supplement that can help with sleep.
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ramelteon
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Ramelteon (Rozerem) is a prescription medicine that can help you fall asleep faster.
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suvorexant
Belsomra
Belsomra is a prescription medicine used to treat insomnia.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for zolpidem
The FDA label for zolpidem (sold under brand names such as Ambien) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotic (Z-Drug) class. Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia when you have trouble falling asleep. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Drowsiness, Dizziness, Diarrhea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 65,926 voluntary reports. The database also lists 9 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $4.69 versus $20.57 for the brand — a 77% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 16, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages