Tag: Sedative hypnotic

According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly half of all Americans experience insomnia occasionally, with a significant percentage dealing with it frequently. For those experiencing short-term sleep difficulties, the prescription medication STILNOX, containing the active ingredient zolpidem, is often utilized.

According to a 2020 CDC report, 8.4% of U.S. adults took sleep medication daily or most days in the prior month [1.5.2]. For many, this includes Ambien (zolpidem), but a common question is: **what schedule is Ambien?** The DEA classifies it as a Schedule IV controlled substance [1.2.1, 1.2.2].

Over 11 million prescriptions for zolpidem were filled in the United States in 2023, making it one of the most commonly prescribed medications for sleep difficulties. So, **what is zolpidem** and why is it so widely used for treating insomnia?

In 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated that 452,000 people in the US used a barbiturate [1.4.4]. One such substance is known on the street as the **blue devil drug**, a potent and dangerous medication with a high potential for abuse.