Ambien, also known by its generic name zolpidem, is primarily prescribed for the treatment of insomnia, a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep. Ambien is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults. It helps individuals fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by affecting certain chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems.