Zolpidem and Benzodiazepines
According to an article in the British Journal of Pharmacology, Zolpidem (Ambien) is a drug that mimics some of the effects of the benzodiazepine class of medications. Benzodiazepines are drugs that can be used to treat insomnia because they have a sedative effect. Benzodiazepines, however, also have other effects on the nervous system, such as anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) and muscle-relaxing capabilities. Benzodiazepines can be habit-forming. By producing only some of the effects of benzodiazepine drugs, zolpidem is able to cause sedation without generating the other effects or being habit-forming.
Zolpidem and Neurotransmitters
According to RXList, zolpidem is able to mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter called GABA, which is a chemical used by neurons in the brain. GABA is recognized by special proteins called receptors. When a receptor binds to GABA, it sends a signal to the neuron to which the receptor is attached. Usually, GABA inhibits activity in brain cells. Zolpidem can bind to certain kinds of GABA receptors, so it can inhibit activity of some of the neurons in the brain. This is why it's classified as a hypnotic. As a result, it can help disrupt thought enough that the patient falls asleep.
Ambien CR Tablets
Zolpidem is metabolized by the body within a few hours. Although this means that its effects typically wear off the next morning for users who take it to sleep, this also mean some patients wake up in the middle of the night when taking zolpidem. Ambien CR is a form of zolpidem that's designed to have a controlled release of the drug (hence the CR). Ambien CR has two separate layers: one that dissolves fast and rapidly releases zolpidem into the bloodstream, and another that dissolves more slowly and releases a steady amount of zolpidem to make it easier for the user to stay asleep.
