Zaleplon



Sonata®







Zaleplon

(ZAL e plon)

U.S. Brand Names
Sonata®
Canadian Brand Names
Sonata®; Starnoc®
Pharmacologic Category
Hypnotic, Nonbenzodiazepine
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to zaleplon or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat sleep disorders.
How does it work?
  • Zaleplon calms the brain.
  • It shortens the time it takes to fall asleep.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine when you have trouble falling asleep.
  • Avoid taking this medicine with high-fat meals.
  • This medicine should be used for short periods of time (7-10 days).
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take this medicine on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than every 24 hours, unless instructed by healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with healthcare provider. Some products contain tartrazine.
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • If you have been taking this medicine on a regular basis for more than 10 days, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • Do not take this medicine unless you can get at least 4 hours of sleep.
  • If you wake up in the early morning, this medicine will not help.
  • Do not nap.
  • If you are taking rifampin or cimetidine, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have lung disease, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.
  • If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, bright indoor lights, and tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and eyewear. Sunscreens will not protect you.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Change in balance.
  • Sunburn.
  • Feeling tired or weak. This medicine works quickly so take when already in bed.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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