Sonata Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sonata Capsule (zaleplon) is a prescription sedative-hypnotic, also known as a "Z-drug," used for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults who have trouble falling asleep. It works on brain chemical receptors to produce a calming effect that helps you fall asleep faster. Sonata has a short half-life, making next-day drowsiness less likely, and it is meant for brief use only, typically up to 4 to 5 weeks.

What is Sonata Capsule

Sonata is a prescription sedative-hypnotic capsule, sometimes called a 'Z-drug.' It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with insomnia, helping them relax and fall asleep faster.

Sonata Capsule uses

• Short-term treatment of insomnia in adults, specifically trouble falling asleep
• Treats short-term insomnia
• Helps reduce difficulty falling asleep
• May shorten sleep-onset time

Benefits of Sonata Capsule

• Decreases the time it takes to fall asleep (sleep-onset latency)
• Short half-life means it wears off quickly and is less likely to cause a next-day 'hangover' effect
• Designed for brief periods of trouble sleeping, typically up to 4 to 5 weeks

How Sonata Capsule works

Sonata works on brain chemical receptors (the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex) involved in sleep, producing a calming, sedative effect to help you fall asleep.

Sonata Capsule dosage

Take Sonata by mouth with a glass of water. Take it immediately before bedtime, or after you've gone to bed and are having trouble falling asleep. Only take it if you can stay in bed for a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Do not take with or right after a meal, especially a heavy or high-fat meal, since this slows down how fast the medicine works. Never take it during normal waking hours unless you have several hours free to sleep.

Do not take more than prescribed, and do not take two doses at once if you miss one. Sonata is meant for short-term use only; call your doctor if symptoms don't improve after 7 to 10 days or if they get worse. Do not stop taking it suddenly after several days of use; ask your doctor how to stop safely. Elderly patients are usually more sensitive to its effects and may be prescribed a lower dose.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule (5 mg and 10 mg)

Side effects of Sonata Capsule

Common

• Dizziness
• Daytime drowsiness or lightheadedness, 'hangover' feeling
• Headache
• Coordination difficulties or clumsiness
• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Short-term memory loss (amnesia)
• Numbness, tingling, or prickly feeling on the skin
• Diarrhea

Serious

• Complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-driving, sleep-walking, preparing or eating food, making phone calls, or having sex while not fully awake, with no memory of it afterward
• Severe allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Mood and behavior changes: anxiety, depression, aggression, agitation, hallucinations, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide
• Signs of CNS depression: slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, severe dizziness, trouble staying awake
• Vision changes: blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• Serious heart symptoms: fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness or passing out
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, tremors

Warnings and precautions

• Sonata can cause complex sleep behaviors like sleep-driving, sleep-walking, or making phone calls while not fully awake, with no memory of it; this can lead to serious injury or death.
• Sonata is a controlled substance that can be habit-forming, and stopping it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or worsened insomnia.
• Combining Sonata with alcohol or other drugs that slow the central nervous system greatly increases the risk of dangerous sedation and breathing problems.
• Take Sonata right before bed or after you've already gone to bed and can't fall asleep, and avoid high-fat meals beforehand, since this can delay how well it works.
• Sonata can cause rare but severe allergic reactions, including swelling of the tongue, throat, or face that can block breathing and be fatal.
• People being treated for depression may have worsening depression, including suicidal thoughts, while taking Sonata.
• Sonata should not be used during pregnancy; there is no reliable safety data in pregnant women.
• A small amount of the drug passes into breast milk, and nursing mothers are advised not to take Sonata.
• No dose change is needed for mild to moderate kidney problems, but Sonata hasn't been well studied in people with severe kidney impairment.
• People with mild to moderate liver impairment need a lower dose, and Sonata is not recommended for those with severe liver impairment.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Sonata, as it can increase drowsiness and other dangerous side effects.
• Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Sonata affects you, since it can cause next-day drowsiness and impair thinking or reaction time.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Protect from light
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets
• Keep in a safe place to prevent theft or misuse
• Mix any unused medication with a substance like cat litter or coffee grounds, then throw it away in a sealed container
• Do not use after the expiration date

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking Sonata and call your doctor right away if you find out you've done an activity like driving, eating, or making phone calls without being fully aware or remembering it.
• Get emergency medical help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice new or worsening depression, thoughts of harming yourself, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, or memory loss.
• Seek emergency help right away if you think you've taken too much Sonata, since overdose can be fatal, especially when combined with other drugs that cause drowsiness.
• Call your doctor if your insomnia doesn't improve after 7 to 10 days of treatment, or if it gets worse.

Alternatives

• Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
• Melatonin when appropriate
• Low-dose doxepin
• Ramelteon