Which schedule of Controlled Substance is Ambien classified under?

Ambien, which is the brand name for zolpidem, is classified under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act. This classification indicates that zolpidem has a lower potential for abuse compared to substances listed in Schedules I through III. Schedule IV drugs are considered to have a valid medical use and represent a low risk of dependence and addiction relative to the higher schedules.

The scheduling of controlled substances is crucial because it dictates how drugs are prescribed, dispensed, and regulated. Schedule IV includes medications that are prescribed for treatment but require careful monitoring due to their potential for misuse. In the case of Ambien, it is widely used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, which affirms its therapeutic value as well as its inclusion in a controlled schedule to prevent misuse while ensuring patients have access to necessary medications.