Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a prescription medicine used to treat sleep disorders. It belongs to the sedative-hypnotic medication class, which works by slowing down brain activity to produce sleep. Ambien is offered in two forms: immediate-release and extended-release, with the latter meant to help people stay asleep all night. While it is an effective short-term medicine, it can also become habit-forming and induce side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, and memory loss. Because Ambien has the potential for misuse, it is critical to only take medication as prescribed by a doctor and to avoid purchasing it from illegal sources.