Which medication is primarily used for short-term management of insomnia by aiding in falling asleep?

Zaleplon is primarily utilized for the short-term management of insomnia, specifically for assisting individuals in falling asleep. Its rapid onset of action makes it particularly effective for this purpose, as it allows patients to sleep within a short period after taking the medication. Zaleplon is classified as a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, which works on specific receptors in the brain to promote sleep without the prolonged sedative effects associated with some other sleep medications.

In contrast, the other medications listed have different primary indications. Carbamazepine is primarily an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer rather than a sleep aid. Buspirone is an anxiolytic primarily used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and does not directly address insomnia. Eszopiclone, like zaleplon, is also a non-benzodiazepine used for insomnia, but it is typically more effective for both sleep initiation and maintenance and may not have the rapid onset that zaleplon does. Therefore, zaleplon's specific focus on aiding in the initial phase of sleep makes it the most suitable choice for the short-term management of insomnia related to falling asleep.