Ambien, a brand name for zolpidem tartrate, is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. It is a sedative-hypnotic drug that works by slowing down brain activity and allowing you to fall asleep faster. Ambien is available in an immediate-release form and an extended-release form. When you purchase Ambien online, it will arrive in the form of tablets in both forms. The immediate-release form is intended to help you fall asleep quickly, while the extended-release form helps keep you asleep for a longer period of time. Ambien should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor. When taken correctly, Ambien can help improve the quality of your sleep and reduce the number of times you wake up during the night.