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

Quick overview

Zaleplon Capsule, sold under the brand name Sonata, is a sedative-hypnotic medicine used for short-term treatment of insomnia. It belongs to the central nervous system (CNS) depressant group and is taken as a capsule swallowed with water. It works quickly due to its short half-life and is intended to help people fall asleep faster when taken right before bed.

What is Zaleplon Capsule

Zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic medicine used for short-term treatment of insomnia. It belongs to a group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which slow down the nervous system. It is sold under the brand name Sonata and comes as a capsule you swallow with water.

Zaleplon Capsule uses

• Treats sleep-onset insomnia (trouble falling asleep)
• Helps adults fall asleep faster when used short-term
• Treats short-term insomnia
• Helps reduce difficulty falling asleep
• May shorten sleep-onset time

Benefits of Zaleplon Capsule

• Works quickly because it has a very short half-life (about 1 hour)
• Largely wears off by morning, which may lower next-day grogginess compared to longer-acting sleep medicines
• Acts quickly
• Has a relatively short duration of action
• May cause less next-morning sedation than longer-acting hypnotics

How Zaleplon Capsule works

Zaleplon acts on the brain's GABA system, a calming chemical pathway, which slows down nerve activity and helps you fall asleep.

Zaleplon Capsule dosage

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it right before going to bed, or after you have gone to bed and are having trouble falling asleep. Do not take it with or right after a meal, especially a heavy, high-fat meal, because this slows down how fast it works. Only take it when you have enough time for a full night's sleep (about 7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again.

This medicine should only be taken immediately before going to sleep; if you miss a dose, skip it and do not take double or extra doses. Use for a short time only, generally no more than 1 to 2 weeks unless your doctor says otherwise. Use and dose in children must be determined by a doctor. Older adults may need special care and a lower dose.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule

Side effects of Zaleplon Capsule

Common

• Drowsiness or lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Lack of coordination or unsteadiness
• A "pins and needles" or tingling sensation on the skin
• Unpleasant or unusual taste change
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness the day after use
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet

Serious

• Complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-driving, sleep-walking, preparing and eating food, or making phone calls with no memory of the event
• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, difficulty staying awake
• Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression

Warnings and precautions

• Zaleplon can cause complex sleep behaviors like sleep-driving, sleep-walking, or preparing food while not fully awake, with no memory of it. Stop the medicine and call your doctor right away if this happens.
• Zaleplon is a controlled substance because it can lead to habit formation, dependence, or misuse. Do not stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor.
• Combining zaleplon with alcohol, opioids, or other CNS depressants can cause severe sedation, slowed breathing, or coma.
• Only take zaleplon when you can get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep, since taking it without enough time to sleep increases the risk of impaired driving and other next-day problems.
• Zaleplon can cause serious allergic reactions including swelling of the tongue, throat, or face, which can be life-threatening.
• In people with depression, sedative-hypnotics like zaleplon have been linked to worsening depression, including suicidal thoughts and actions.
• Zaleplon is not recommended for use during pregnancy because there are no studies in pregnant women.
• Nursing mothers should not take zaleplon because a small amount passes into breast milk and its effects on a nursing infant are not known.
• No dose change is needed for mild to moderate kidney problems, but zaleplon has not been well studied in people with severe kidney disease.
• People with mild to moderate liver disease should use a lower dose because the medicine is cleared more slowly. It is not recommended for people with severe liver disease.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking zaleplon, as this can cause dangerous side effects or death.
• Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, since it can cause drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and impaired judgment, even the next morning.

Storage

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

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor right away if you find out you did an activity like driving, eating, or making phone calls while not fully awake and don't remember it.
• Get emergency help immediately if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
• Call your doctor right away if you or your family notice new or worsening depression, thoughts of harming yourself, anxiety, unusual thoughts, or memory loss.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get emergency help right away, since overdose can cause serious breathing problems or be fatal.
• Call your doctor if your insomnia does not improve, or gets worse, after 7 to 10 days of treatment.

Alternatives

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