Ambien 5 mg is a low-dose formulation of zolpidem tartrate, a prescription sedative-hypnotic medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Zolpidem belongs to the drug class commonly known as non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, or “Z-drugs,” which are designed to promote sleep by acting selectively on specific GABA receptors in the brain. Unlike benzodiazepines, which have broader effects, zolpidem’s selective receptor targeting helps initiate sleep while generally producing fewer muscle-relaxant or anti-anxiety effects.