Actavis granted final approval for generic Ambien CR

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has given final approval to a generic drug for insomnia made by Actavis, the drug maker said Monday.

The FDA approved the company’s zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets in the 12.5-mg strength. The drug, which is a Schedule IV controlled substance, is a generic version of Sanofi’s Ambien CR. Actavis was the first company to launch a generic version of the drug in the 6.25-mg strength in October 2010.

Zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets had sales of about $793 million in the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.