Ambien® (zolpidem tartrate) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic from a newer group of drugs called imidazopyridines.

Launched in France in 1988 under the tradename Stilnox®, and in the US in 1993, where it is marketed by Lorex, a joint-venture between Sanofi and Pharmacia Corp., Ambien is used primarily for shortterm treatment of insomnia in adults with a selective hypnotic action lasting for six to seven hours.

Though chemically different from benzodiazepines, Ambien/Stilnox acts as an agonist binding with high and low affinity to BZ1 and BZ2 benzodiazepine receptor subtypes, respectively. In contrast to benzodiazepines, Ambien® has the advantages of having almost no adverse effects such as daytime loss of memory and attention as well as a minimal risk of dependency.

This is the Argentinian generic brand by Gador, called Somit.