Zaleplon, Oral ZAL-eh-plon

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: sedative; sleeping pill

Generic and brand names: zaleplon, oral; Sonata

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth for the short-term treatment (for 7 to 10 days) of insomnia (trouble falling asleep).

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine foods, preservatives, or dyes
• depression or thoughts of suicide
• liver problems
• lung disease or breathing problems such as asthma, COPD, or sleep apnea
• problems with alcohol or drug abuse

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of this medicine or take it longer than prescribed. Long-term use (longer than 3 weeks) may be habit-forming. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval if you have taken it for longer than 3 weeks.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Do NOT take more than the amount prescribed.

Taking this medicine with or right after a high-fat or large meal may delay or reduce its effect. For faster results, take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take this medicine just before going to bed or when you will be able to sleep for at least 4 hours. Do not take more than 1 dose a night unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine acts quickly, usually in about 30 minutes.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: slurred speech, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), confusion, restlessness, nausea, drowsiness, slow breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, fainting, coma.

What should I watch out for?

Take this medicine only when you can get at least 4 hours of sleep before you need to be alert. This medicine may cause memory loss or amnesia. You may not know what you are doing for several hours after taking the medicine, including driving in your sleep. If you have memory problems while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.

You may have more trouble falling asleep for 1 or 2 nights after you stop taking this medicine. Contact your provider if your insomnia does not improve in 7 to 10 days or if it gets worse.

This medicine works faster than some other medicines for insomnia and may cause fewer hangover symptoms the next day. However, do not drive or operate machinery the next day unless you are fully alert.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report this to your healthcare provider right away): Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there); depression or thoughts of suicide, sudden mood or behavior changes, memory problems, slowed breathing.

Other: Minor sleepiness or dizziness the morning after a dose of this medicine, headache, dry mouth, nausea, stomach pain, weakness, rash, sore muscles, lack of coordination, abnormal dreams, pins and needles feelings on your skin.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), and meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, clozapine (Clozaril), fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), perphenazine, prochlorperazine (Compro), risperidone (Risperdal), thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), tiagabine (Gabitril), and topiramate (Topamax)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox), and pentazocine (Talwin)
• other sleeping pills such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, phenobarbital, temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.