MedicineNet.com
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


Medication Written by Pharmacists Reviewed by Doctors

GENERIC NAME: zaleplon

BRAND NAME: Sonata

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Zaleplon is a hypnotic (a medication that induces sleep) that is used for treating insomnia. It is chemically unrelated to the benzodiazepine class of medications for sleep, e.g. lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), flurazepam (Dalmane), triazolam (Halcion), and temazepam (Restoril), but it has similar effects because it attaches to the same receptors on nerve cells as these well-known medications. It was approved by the FDA in 1999.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Capsules, 5mg, 10mg (green).

STORAGE: Capsules should be stored at room temperature, between 15 and 30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Zaleplon is used for the short-term (7 to 10 days) treatment of insomnia.

DOSING: Zaleplon is taken at bedtime for assistance in falling asleep. Because of its short duration of activity, it is not effective for persons who wake up during the night. Zaleplon should be taken immediately before bedtime or after going to bed and experiencing difficulty falling asleep. Taking zaleplon with a high-fat meal slows its absorption and may also slow its onset of action.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Rifampin reduces the amount of zaleplon in the blood by more than 80%. This could lead to a decrease in zaleplon's activity. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can greatly increase the amount of zaleplon in the blood; if cimetidine must be used, lower doses of zaleplon are suggested. The drowsiness that can occur with zaleplon is accentuated by alcohol, and, therefore, patients taking zaleplon should not drink alcoholic beverages.

PREGNANCY: There are no studies of zaleplon in pregnant women. In studies in rats, damage to fetuses has been reported. Therefore, zaleplon is not suggested for pregnant women unless the physician feels the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

NURSING MOTHERS: A small amount of zaleplon is excreted in breast milk. Because the effects of zaleplon on nursing infants are unknown, it is recommended that nursing mothers not take zaleplon.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects associated with zaleplon are headache, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia, stomach ache, and muscle pain. Studies have shown that zaleplon has a potential for abuse similar to benzodiazepine.


Last Editorial Review: 1/16/2000 1:07:00 PM




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Sleep - Read about how to get a healthy nights sleep, how much sleep is enough, and why skimping on sleep can lead to poor performance, health, and moods.
  • Insomnia - Learn about the types of insomnia, what causes it, and treatments such as medication, relaxation exercises, sleep hygeien, non-medical treatments.
  • Insomnia Treatment: Sleep Aids and Stimulants - Learn about insomina, and insomnia treatment including over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, and prescription medication for this condition.

Latest Medical News


Back to Medications Index

Sleep Disorders

Get tips for better sleep.




Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Pinpoint Your Symptoms - Start Now Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Symptoms & Signs by Female Body Region Symptoms & Signs by Male Body Region

Topics Related to zaleplon, Sonata


zaleplon
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Snoring Cure Snoring Cure
If you're ready to say goodnight to chronic snoring, a new cure could be right under your nose.See more WebMD Videos »




Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network




Top 3
zaleplon, Sonata Related Articles







Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.