Ambien, the brand name for zolpidem, is a prescription medication used primarily to treat insomnia. Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic that affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems. Ambien is used to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Ambien Typically taken right before bedtime to help initiate sleep. Ambien Taken right before bedtime, designed to help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.