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Get an Ambien prescription online
Ambien is the brand name for the generic drug zolpidem. It’s a sedative/hypnotic prescription sleep medication used to treat short-term insomnia.
Is Ambien the answer to your sleep troubles? Find out by talking to an insomnia specialist on Klarity Health in 24 hours or less.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Hetrick
What is Ambien (zolpidem)?
Ambien (zolpidem) is a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic drug — also known as a Z-drug. It was U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for the short-term treatment (7 to 10 days) of adult insomnia due to trouble falling asleep in 1992. It works by slowing down brain activity to make you drowsy during the initial stages of falling asleep so you can fall asleep faster.
Ambien comes in an immediate-release and extended-release (Ambien [CR]) forms. It’s also available as generic zolpidem or zolpidem tartrate. Immediate-release Ambien works quickly to help you fall asleep. Ambien (CR) has 2 layers. The first layer helps you fall asleep faster. The second layer dissolves slowly so you can stay asleep.
Ambien is a Schedule IV controlled substance and has a risk for abuse and dependence.
How does Ambien work?
Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic. It works to sedate you or make you sleepy by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that play a role in neurons (nerve cells) communicating in the brain and throughout the body. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, meaning it blocks chemical messages from being passed between cells.
GABA inhibits specific brain signals to reduce activity in the central nervous system (CNS) — basically the brain and spinal cord. By binding to a subtype of GABA receptors, called GABA-A receptors, Ambien helps reduce the excitability of neurons (brain cells), which causes a calming effect on the brain to help you fall asleep.
Who can take Ambien for insomnia?
Ambien is usually prescribed for adults with transient (short-term) insomnia, which is insomnia that lasts 7 to 10 days. It’s basically meant for grown ups who can’t fall asleep. Ambien isn’t intended for long-term use because of its potential for dependency, which is more likely the longer it’s used.
Immediate-release Ambien is best for people who can’t fall asleep.
Ambien CR is for people who can’t fall or stay asleep, also known as having poor sleep maintenance.
How to get an Ambien prescription online
You get an Ambien prescription online during a telehealth visit with a trained, licensed healthcare provider, such as a medical doctor (MD), physician assistant/associate (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP). In some states, you’ll need one in-person visit first.
You can discuss insomnia treatment — which may include medication such as Ambien — with a board-certified, licensed provider on Klarity Health.
Once your provider submits your prescription for Ambien to a local or online pharmacy that carries it, you can pick it up or have it delivered to your home.
Learn more about how to get prescribed Ambien.
How to use Ambien and Ambien dosages
Immediate-release Ambien and Ambien CR are available as oral tablets. A generic dissolvable sublingual (under the tongue) tablet is also available.
Ambien and generic zolpidem come in 5- and 10-milligram tablets. Ambien CR and generic extended-release zolpidem come in 6.25- and 12.5-milligram tablets. Sublingual zolpidem tartrate is available in 1.75- and 3.5-milligram tablets.
Your provider will typically have you start with the smallest 5-milligram dose. If that dose doesn’t work for you, they may have you increase to the higher dose.
When taking Ambien or Ambien CR, take it when you can get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. For the sublingual generic, take it at bedtime or if you wake up during the night and can sleep for at least 4 more hours. Place it under your tongue and let it dissolve before you swallow again.
Ambien side effects and warnings
The most common side effects when taking Ambien are headache, dizziness, and diarrhea. You might also have slowed thinking and motor skills and still be sleepy the next day. You want to avoid driving or operating equipment or machinery until you know how it affects you. And don’t mix Ambien and alcohol or other sedatives or opioids before you talk to your provider.
More serious side effects can happen when taking Ambien too, including allergic reactions, odd thoughts or behaviors, suicidal thoughts and increased depression, trouble breathing, and withdrawal symptoms.
And all products containing zolpidem have a boxed warning, which is the FDA’s most serious warning. The boxed warning is for complex sleep behaviors that can include walking, driving, talking, eating, and other activities while asleep that may result in injury or death.
What does Ambien cost?
Immediate-release Ambien costs around up to $130 for 5 tablets using a GoodRx discount and depending on your ZIP code. Ambien CR costs roughly closer to $667 for 30 tablets on GoodRx and with its discount.
Generic Ambien in most forms costs less. And, if using insurance, your copay may be less for generic compared to the brand name. Immediate-release generic zolpidem costs up to $22 for 10 tablets. Generic zolpidem extended-release costs up to $17 for 10 tablets. The sublingual zolpidem tartrate form is most costly at up to $90 for 10 tablets. It’s only available as a generic. Generic costs are from drugs.com and reflect its discount.
If you have insurance that covers Ambien or generic zolpidem, you’ll pay less. You’re also available for the Ambien co-pay card, from Sanofi-Aventis who makes Ambien. With it, you can pay $50 or less for a 30-day supply of immediate-release Ambien.
Coupons from sites like NeedyMeds, GoodRx, drugs.com, SingleCareRx, and Optum can also help you save between 3% to 80% with or without insurance.
How does Ambien compare to other insomnia medications?
Ambien is one of the most common sleep medications prescribed in the U.S., but it’s not the only one. Other popular options include Lunesta (eszopiclone), Sonata (zaleplon), Restoril (temazepam), Silenor (doxepin), Quviviq (daridorexant), Halcion (triazolam), trazodone, and amitriptyline.
Some of these medications are in the same sedative-hypnotic drug class as Ambien. Others are in different classes, such as benzodiazepines, dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Each may work to help you fall asleep and/or stay asleep. Some tend to create a hangover effect where you might still feel drowsy the next day.
Which sleep aid is best for you depends on how well it works for your insomnia. The best way to find out is to talk to a qualified sleep provider who can work with you to create a tailored insomnia treatment.
Learn more about:
Lunesta vs Ambien
Restoril vs Ambien
Restoril vs Ambien
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Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed and board-certified. They offer a personalized approach to your unique medical needs. See a detailed profile and services for each provider and find the one best suited for your needs. Providers run their own private practice, and their service options can vary and tailor to your unique needs.
Have your initial patient visit
Your journey to better sleep starts with an initial appointment. Your provider will go over your goals and medical history to recommend a treatment plan that’s right for you. Your plan may or may not include prescription medication.
Work with your provider on your progress
After your initial appointment, you and your provider stay connected to make sure you’re doing okay and reaching your goals. You stay on track with follow-up appointments, medication refills, and ongoing support from your provider. You’re encouraged to regularly check in with your providers.
Enjoy ongoing support
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Health Patient Support team is here to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support possible.
Why choose a provider on Klarity?
Choose from a growing list of licensed, board-certified providers with expertise in insomnia treatment.
Have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.*
No insurance needed — get reimbursed from insurance or use your FSA or HSA.
FAQs about Ambien prescription online
Learn more about Ambien for insomnia and insomnia medications
Latest posts about Insomnia
See all postsSources
Ambien.com, Prefer the brand, but worried about elevated costs?, https://www.ambien.com/insurance-coverage
drugs.com Ambien Prices, Coupons, Copay Cards & Patient Assistance, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/ambien
Dailymed, Label: AMBIEN- zolpidem tartrate tablet, film coated, Aug. 2024, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c36cadf4-65a4-4466-b409-c82020b42452&audience=consumer#section-2.1
Dailymed, Label: AMBIEN CR- zolpidem tartrate tablet, coated, Aug. 2024, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=404c858c-89ac-4c9d-8a96-8702a28e6e76&audience=consumer#section-3
Dailymed,Label: ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE SUBLINGUAL tablet, Oct. 2019, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=44b34e58-114b-4774-9fab-4b188dfe0228&audience=consumer#section-2.1
Frontiers in Psychiatry, Effects of Trazodone on Sleep Quality and Cognitive Function in Arteriosclerotic Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Comorbid With Chronic Insomnia, Jun. 2020, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00620
Journal of Clinical Medicine, Long-Term Use of Insomnia Medications: An Appraisal of the Current Clinical and Scientific Evidence, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041629
National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Cancer Institute, Drug tolerance, https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/drug-tolerance
National Library of Medicine.National Center for Biotechnical Information, Zolpidem, Feb. 2024, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442008/
NHS, How and when to take zolpidem, Jan. 2023, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/how-and-when-to-take-zolpidem/
NHS. who can and cannot take zolpidem, Jan. 2023, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zolpidem/who-can-and-cannot-take-zolpidem/
Springer Link CNS Drugs, Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of Daridorexant in Patients with Insomnia Disorder, Dec. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-022-00980-8
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (DEA), Drug Scheduling, https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling#
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances like Ambien may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
How we reviewed this article
This article went through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author. Learn more about the editorial and medical review process and standards for the HelloKlarity site.
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide any medical services.
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All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide any medical services.
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988. Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741-741
Phone:
Fax:
(855) 975-3008
PO Box 5098 Redwood City, CA 94063
100 Broadway Street, Redwood City CA, 94063
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988. Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741-741
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