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Key takeaways
Ambien tablets are prescribed for insomnia when falling asleep is difficult.
Generic zolpidem has the same active ingredient as Ambien, with the same anticipated effectiveness and side effects at a much lower price point.
Changing from Ambien to zolpidem can be simple, since the available doses and potency are identical, but given the possibility of withdrawal if Ambien is stopped suddenly, setting a plan with the medical team in advance is advisable.
Ambien is one of the most recognizable brand names among prescription sleep aids. When faced with insomnia, paying brand-name prices can seem well worth it if the sedative-hypnotic drug helps one to fall or stay asleep. Desperate times do not always require desperate measures though, and the generic version of Ambien, zolpidem, could be just as effective at a lower price. Choosing between immediate-release and extended-release forms of the drug is another decision to make besides picking generic or brand-name Ambien. Let’s get informed about the options.
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Is there a generic for Ambien?
Since 2007, when the patent for brand-name Ambien expired, generic zolpidem has been available. Brand versions are still on the market, but are less accessible due to pricing. The lower price of zolpidem leads to it being preferred over Ambien on many health insurance formularies. For example, Aetna’s 2025 Standard Plan includes zolpidem products but not Ambien. Checking a printed or online searchable formulary is a quick way to know which version may be covered by a particular insurance plan.
What are the differences between brand-name and generic Ambien?
Zolpidem tartrate is the active ingredient in both brand-name Ambien and the generic product. Its efficacy and side effects should be identical, with the biggest difference being the lower price for generic zolpidem.
The different zolpidem forms have bigger variances. Ambien is an immediate-release zolpidem product available as 5 mg or 10 mg tablets for dosing at bedtime to assist with falling asleep in sleep-onset insomnia. Zolpidem also comes as a 7.5mg capsule when a mid-range dose is needed. The pills are best taken on an empty stomach.
For those preferring sleep medicine in different dosage forms than pills, the brand-name oral spray Zolpimist provides 5 mg of zolpidem per spray, and the brand-name sublingual tablet Edluar releases 5 mg or 10 mg of zolpidem under the tongue for a quicker onset of action. Generic sublingual zolpidem tablets are manufactured in 1.75 mg and 3.5 mg tablets. Unlike the other forms, they are intended for use in the middle of the night when awakening occurs, with at least 4 hours of sleep still desired.
In comparison, Ambien CR and its generic counterpart, zolpidem extended-release, are dosed as 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg tablets at bedtime for sleep-onset insomnia or when at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep is desired in patients having difficulty staying asleep, known as sleep-maintenance insomnia. The extended-release tablets have a similar onset of action but maintain peak effectiveness longer than immediate-release forms.
Ambien (zolpidem) drug info |
|
|---|---|
| Uses | Sleep-onset insomnia |
| Standard dosage | 5 to 10 mg at bedtime |
| Common side effects | Drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness, drugged-feeling, headache, diarrhea |
| Contraindications | History of allergic reactions or complex sleep behaviors, such as sleep-walking or sleep-driving, with Ambien |
| Other considerations | Additional warnings include next-day impairment; respiratory depression; worsening mood; behavioral changes; drug interactions with opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines; and heightened risk in the setting of sleep apnea, older adults, and myasthenia gravis |
How much is generic Ambien?
The price difference between Ambien and its generic, zolpidem, is striking. Without insurance, Ambien retails for about $810 per 30, 10 mg tablets, while the same dose and amount of zolpidem tablets costs about $90. That is $24 less per pill. If a free SingleCare discount card or Ambien coupon is presented along with the prescription to the pharmacist, an even lower price can be realized.
Brand vs. generic Ambien prices |
||
|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Ambien | Ambien generic (zolpidem) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $810 for 30, 10 mg tablets of Ambien | $90 for 30, 10 mg tablets of zolpidem |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $630 for 30, 10 mg tablets of Ambien | $9 for 30, 10 mg tablets of zolpidem |
| Free coupons | Ambien coupons | Zolpidem coupons |
What are the off-label uses for Ambien?
Ambien is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the short-term treatment of sleep-onset insomnia (trouble falling asleep). Real-world use for sleep problems can sometimes stray from this specific indication. Off-label, it is prescribed at times for sleep-maintenance insomnia when at least 7 hours of sleep is planned. The drug is not cleared as quickly in females, so lingering daytime sleepiness the next morning can be more problematic, which is why 5 mg dosing initially for women is specified in the drug label.
The FDA does not advise long-term use, nor is it typically recommended for other sedative-hypnotic drugs, although exceptions may occur. Ambien can be habit-forming and can be abused, which is why it is listed as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
How to switch from Ambien to zolpidem
Step one in switching from Ambien to zolpidem is checking with the prescribing healthcare professional and pharmacist. The prescriber may have a reason for preferring the branded product, such as personally believing it is superior. Typically, a pharmacist can make the change if the prescription stipulates that substitutions are permissible. For those with insurance, review the plan’s drug formulary to see if zolpidem or Ambien is covered.
If Ambien has been taken for a while, withdrawal symptoms can occur with abrupt discontinuation. The drug’s label lists possible symptoms including nausea, stomach cramps, nervousness, and panic. Get the medical advice of a healthcare provider before suddenly stopping the drug. If a change to generic zolpidem is planned, the provider will likely advise switching from Ambien to the same dose of zolpidem without a more complex transition.
- Aetna Standard Plan formulary, Aetna (2025)
- Zolpidem, StatPearls (2024)
- Ambien drug label, NIH DailyMed (2025)