Zolpidem (Ambien)
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Zolpidem | |
REGULATED | Yes |
STATUS | Scheduled |
SCHEDULE | Schedule IV |
CLASSIFICATION | Depressant |
Zolpidem is Schedule IV in the U.S. This means it is illegal to sell without a license and illegal to possess without a valid license or prescription.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only in Australia, but is subject to tighter controls than regular S4 prescription medications. There is a list of Schedule 4 (S4) drugs that have additional controls under "Appendix D". The group is refered to as "S4D" substances. Prescribing these invites additional scrutiny and posssessing them can involve some additional scrutiny. Info about this group, that includes zolpidem, can be found https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Pages/sch4d.aspx. (Thanks LF) (last updated 2022 Feb 9)
Canada #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only in Canada and is a Schedule IV drug, in the same schedule as benzodiazepines. Possession of Schedule IV drugs in Canada is not a crime unless for the purposes of distribution. Seeking to obtain Schedule IV drugs such as zolpidem is a illegal in Canada. (thanks br) (last updated Aug 6 2014)
Germany #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only in Germany. (thanks P)
Finland #
We received a report that zolpidem is available by prescription only in Finland. (unconfirmed) (thanks T)
France #
We received a report that zolpidem is only available by prescription in France. (unconfirmed) (thanks M)
Italy (Italia) #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only. The most common commercial name is Stilnox. (unconfirmed) (thanks PM) (last updated Sep 8 2009)
New Zealand #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only in New Zealand. (thanks br) (last updated Apr 25 2011)
Norway #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only in Norway, and we have been told that it is very uncommon. (thanks AV) (last updated May 2007)
Portugal #
Zolpidem is available by prescription only in Portugal. (last updated Apr 26 2016)
Sweden #
Zolpidem is available only with a prescription in Sweden. It is reportedly less available to those under the age of 18. (unconfirmed) (thanks C,E) (last updated Oct 1 2009)
United Kingdom (U.K., England, Scotland, Wales) #
Zolpidem is available only with a prescription and is a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. See http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/corporate-publications-strategy/home-office-circulars/circulars-2003/039-2003/. (thanks K) (last updated May 3 2012)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.