Ambien is the brand name for zolpidem, a drug that's used to treat insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for you to go to sleep, stay asleep, or both. Ambien is in a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. They work by slowing the activity in your brain, which allows for a state of sleep. Sanofi-Aventis makes Ambien, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992. Several companies make generic zolpidem, which became available in 2007.