Zaleplon (Systemic)

Brand Names : Sonata

Before Using This Medicine

Sleep medicines may cause a special type of memory loss or "amnesia". When this occurs, a person does not remember what has happened during the several hours between use of the medicine and the time when its effects wear off. This is usually not a problem since most people fall asleep after taking the medicine. In most instances, memory problems can be avoided by taking zaleplon only when you are able to get at least 4 hours of sleep before you need to be active again. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think you are having memory problems.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zaleplon, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zaleplon. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Zaleplon has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that zaleplon slows down the development of the offspring when given to the mother in doses many times the human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure you doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - Zaleplon passes into breast milk, but the effect on nursing babies is unknown

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of zaleplon in children younger than 18 years with adults.

Older adults - Elderly patients are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of zaleplon.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking zaleplon, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Alcohol (with chronic use) or
• Barbiturates, especially phenobarbital or
• Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol) or
• Glutethimide (e.g., Doriglute) or
• Phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin) or
• Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin) or
• Primidone (e.g., Mysoline) or
• Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin) - These medicines may decrease the effectiveness of zaleplon

• Cimetidine (e.g., Tagamet) - Cimetidine may interfere with the breakdown of zaleplon in the body, possibly leading to unwanted effects

• Other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression) - The CNS depressant effects of either these medicines or zaleplon may be increased, possibly leading to unwanted effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zaleplon. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially

• Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
• Drug abuse or dependence (or history of) - Dependence on zaleplon may develop

• Breathing problems or
• Mental depression - Zaleplon may make the condition worse
• Liver disease - Higher blood levels of zaleplon may result, increasing the chance of side effects.