Compositions of zolpidem, and methods for their manufacture and use for treating insomnia. The compositions are formulated as oral sprays for transmucosal absorption of zolpidem. The methods of treatment in some cases involve night-time dosing administration to achieve therapeutic zolpidem blood levels within 20 minutes or less, tapering off to less than 20 ng/ml within less than five hours, in some cases less than four hours, post dosing.