Key takeaways
Zolpidem tartrate, commonly known as Ambien, is a medication used to treat insomnia.
Alternatives include prescription medications such as Lunesta, zaleplon, Belsomra, DAYVIGO, and Quviviq.
Nonprescription options may include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), OTC sleep aids, supplements, healthy sleep habits, and dietary changes.
Zolpidem tartrate (brand name Ambien) is a generic prescription medication used to treat insomnia. Depending on the formulation, zolpidem can help people fall asleep or stay asleep. It is available as immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets (Ambien CR), sublingual tablets, and capsules. Zolpidem may not be right for everyone because of side effects, physical dependence, or other risks. Several prescription medications, over-the-counter options, and lifestyle changes may be considered as alternatives.
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What can I take instead of zolpidem tartrate?
Zolpidem is a nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, commonly called a Z-drug. It works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger that reduces activity in the brain and promotes sleep. Zolpidem is generally intended for short-term treatment, and continued use should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
RELATED: How much is zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) without insurance?
Several prescription medications may be used as alternatives to zolpidem for insomnia. These include other nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, orexin receptor antagonists such as Belsomra, benzodiazepines, the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) doxepin, and the melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon. The most appropriate option depends on factors such as the type of insomnia, other health conditions, potential side effects, and drug interactions.
Compare Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) alternatives |
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| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) | $869 for 30, 10 mg tablets | $585 for 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Ambien at Publix | See latest prices |
| Generic Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) | $108 for 30, 10 mg tablets | $9 for 30, 10 mg tablets of generic Ambien at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Lunesta (eszopiclone) | $1,658 for 30, 3 mg tablets | $11 for 30, 3 mg tablets of generic Lunesta at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Zaleplon | $132 for 30, 10 mg capsules | $14 for 30, 10 mg capsules of generic zaleplon at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Belsomra (suvorexant) | $624 for 30, 20 mg tablets | $397 for 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Belsomra at Kroger | See latest prices |
| DAYVIGO (lemborexant) | $476 for 30, 10 mg tablets | $338 per 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name DAYVIGO at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Quviviq (daridorexant) | $685 for 30, 50 mg tablets | $438 for 30, 50 mg tablets of brand-name Quviviq at Kroger | See latest prices |
Top 5 zolpidem tartrate alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to zolpidem tartrate.
1. Lunesta
Lunesta is the brand name for eszopiclone. It belongs to the same medication class as zolpidem and can help people fall asleep and stay asleep. A review of clinical trials found that, compared with placebo, eszopiclone reduced the time it took to fall asleep by about 12 minutes, reduced wake time after sleep onset by about 17 minutes, and increased total sleep time by about 28 minutes.
Lunesta carries the same boxed warning for complex sleep behaviors as zolpidem. These potentially serious side effects may include sleepwalking and other activities such as driving while asleep. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Lunesta and generic eszopiclone are available as tablets. The recommended starting dose for adults is 1 mg immediately before bedtime and may be increased to a maximum of 3 mg if needed.
RELATED: Lunesta vs. Ambien: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you
2. Zaleplon
Zaleplon, formerly sold under the brand name Sonata, belongs to the same medication class as zolpidem. It is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia involving difficulty falling asleep. Zaleplon has a very short half-life and has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, but it has not been shown to increase total sleep time or reduce nighttime awakenings. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests zaleplon as a treatment option for sleep-onset insomnia, so it may be an option for people whose main problem is falling asleep.
Zaleplon also carries a boxed warning for complex sleep behaviors, similar to zolpidem and eszopiclone. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, and drowsiness. Zaleplon is available as capsules, and the recommended dose for most adults is 10 mg immediately before bedtime. A 5 mg dose may be used for certain people, including older adults.
3. Belsomra
Belsomra (suvorexant) is a brand-name medication that belongs to a different drug class than zolpidem. Belsomra is an orexin receptor antagonist used to treat insomnia involving difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It works by blocking the effects of orexin A and orexin B, chemical messengers that promote wakefulness.
Clinical trials have shown that Belsomra can improve sleep onset and sleep maintenance. In one trial, after one month of treatment, objectively measured time to fall asleep decreased from about 69 minutes to 35 minutes, while patients’ estimated time to fall asleep decreased from about 64 minutes to 47 minutes. A separate polysomnography study found increases in total sleep time after four weeks of treatment.
Belsomra may be an option for people who have not had adequate improvement with zolpidem or other insomnia treatments. It is available as tablets. The recommended starting dose is 10 mg once per night, taken within 30 minutes of bedtime and with at least seven hours remaining before waking. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg if needed and tolerated.
RELATED: Belsomra vs. Ambien: differences, similarities, and which is better for you
4. DAYVIGO
DAYVIGO (lemborexant) is a brand-name medication in the orexin receptor antagonist drug class. It is used to treat insomnia involving difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. DAYVIGO works by blocking orexin A and orexin B, chemical messengers that promote wakefulness.
Clinical studies have shown that DAYVIGO can improve sleep onset and sleep maintenance. In a study of adults ages 55 and older, both 5 mg and 10 mg doses improved sleep onset and maintenance compared with placebo. Compared with extended-release zolpidem, DAYVIGO also reduced wake time during the second half of the night by about seven to eight minutes after one month.
DAYVIGO may be an alternative for people who do not get enough benefit from zolpidem or who experience bothersome side effects. It is available as tablets and is typically started at 5 mg at bedtime, with the dose increased to 10 mg if needed and tolerated.
RELATED: Learn more about DAYVIGO
5. Quviviq
Quviviq (daridorexant) is a brand-name medication in the orexin receptor antagonist medication class. Working to suppress the wake drive like other drugs in this class, Quviviq can help people fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. In clinical studies, Quviviq improved sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and patient-reported total sleep time compared with placebo, with improvements maintained through three months.
Quviviq may be a good option for people who do not get enough relief from zolpidem or have trouble tolerating it. Quviviq is available as tablets and is typically dosed at 25 to 50 mg once nightly within 30 minutes of bedtime.
Natural alternatives to zolpidem tartrate
Ambien alternatives that don’t involve prescription medications include supplements, sleep hygiene improvements, and diet modifications that may help make falling and staying asleep easier.
Some supplements commonly used for sleep include melatonin, valerian root, and magnesium, although evidence of their effectiveness for insomnia varies:
- Melatonin is a natural hormone made in the body that helps control the sleep-wake cycle. The hormone is released by the pineal gland as daylight fades in the evening, signaling to the body that it is time for sleep. Melatonin is available as a supplement in a variety of formulations, including tablets, gummies, and liquids.
- Valerian root is an herbal sleep remedy that is available over the counter. Some clinical studies have suggested that valerian is effective in the treatment of insomnia, most often by reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.
- Magnesium is a mineral found in the body. It is also found in many foods and is available as a supplement. There is limited available evidence that magnesium supplements may help with insomnia, and more high-quality research is needed to determine their effectiveness.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), healthy sleep habits can help improve the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Sleep hygiene may also be included as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. However, sleep hygiene alone is not considered an effective treatment for chronic insomnia. For diet modifications, the AASM recommends avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening and reducing fluid intake before bedtime.
RELATED: 21 ways to sleep better tonight
How to switch to a zolpidem tartrate alternative
1. Discuss all health conditions with a healthcare provider
Before switching from zolpidem to an alternative, make sure the prescribing healthcare provider is aware of all medical conditions. Some alternatives may need to be used with caution or avoided in people with certain health conditions.
2. Do not suddenly stop taking zolpidem without medical advice
Talk to the prescribing healthcare provider before stopping zolpidem. Stopping zolpidem suddenly or reducing the dose too quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms and may worsen sleep temporarily. A healthcare provider can determine whether the dose should be gradually reduced and how quickly. Withdrawal symptoms can include stomach or muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, seizures, and confusion.
3. Discuss all prescription and over-the-counter medications with a healthcare provider
Before switching from zolpidem to an alternative, the prescribing healthcare provider should review all medications and supplements being taken, including prescription and over-the-counter products. Some sleep medications can interact with other drugs or increase sedation when taken together.
4. Continue to improve sleep hygiene
It’s important for people treating insomnia and other sleep problems to follow healthy sleep habits. Healthcare providers and pharmacists can help give useful sleep hygiene advice, which may include the following tips:
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule, including on weekends and vacations.
- Set a bedtime that allows enough time for at least seven hours of sleep.
- Exercise regularly, but avoid strenuous exercise close to bedtime.
- Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon or evening, and reduce fluid intake before bedtime.
Choosing the right path for insomnia treatment
Practicing healthy sleep habits can help people fall asleep more easily and stay asleep throughout the night. For people with milder cases of sleep problems, natural over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications, such as melatonin or valerian, may be the safest choice. Nonprescription antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or doxylamine, are available over the counter, but they aren’t right for everyone. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying them. If you continue to struggle with insomnia, a healthcare provider can develop an individualized treatment plan that may include a prescription medicine like zolpidem tartrate or an alternative prescription medicine.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Oct. 2, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Zolpidem tartrate tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2024)
- Eszopiclone for insomnia, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2018)
- Lunesta eszopiclone tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2017)
- Zaleplon capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2019)
- Belsomra suvorexant tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Suvorexant for insomnia, Australian Prescriber (2017)
- DAYVIGO lemborexant tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Comparison of lemborexant with placebo and zolpidem tartrate extended-release for the treatment of older adults with insomnia disorder: a phase 3 randomized clinical trial, JAMA Network Open (2019)
- Quviviq daridorexant tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- Valerian, American Family Physician (2003)
- Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review & meta-analysis, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021)
- Healthy sleep habits, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2020)
- Ambien withdrawal, detox, and treatment, Addiction Centers (2026)
- Over-the-counter sleep aids, Sleep Foundation (2025)
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