Sonata is used to treat short-term difficulty in falling asleep. Sonata has not been shown to increase your total sleep time or decrease the number of times you wake up after falling asleep.

Sonata, like all sleep medicines, may make you drowsy during the day. The amount of drowsiness you feel depends upon how your body reacts to Sonata and the dose of Sonata you are taking. If you experience drowsiness during the day, talk to your doctor.

If your sleep problems do not get better or you begin to have unusual thinking or behavior changes while you take Sonata, they may be due to another medical reason. Tell your doctor right away.

If you abruptly stop taking Sonata you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

You may have more trouble falling asleep the first few nights after you stop taking Sonata than before starting Sonata, (rebound insomnia). This problem usually goes away on its own after 1-2 nights.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur when sleep medicines are stopped suddenly after being used daily for a long time. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms may include unpleasant feelings. In severe cases, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and rarely seizures may occur. These more severe withdrawal symptoms are very uncommon. Although withdrawal symptoms have not been observed in studies of Sonata so far, there is, nevertheless, the risk of such events in association with the use of any sleep medicines.

There is a chance that you may experience a certain type of memory loss (amnesia). This can usually be avoided by taking Sonata only when you are able to get 4 or more hours of sleep before you need to be active again. If you do have memory problems while taking Sonata, tell your doctor.

There is a risk of becoming dependent on Sonata, as with any sleeping medication. However, if you have a history of addiction to alcohol or drugs your risk of your becoming dependent on Sonata is higher. Be sure to tell your doctor about any previous addictions to alcohol or drugs before you start taking Sonata.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had a history of liver problems. Your doctor will evaluate and decide Sonata is right for you.

Take Sonata exactly as your doctor prescribes. Do not change your dose or stop taking your dose without first talking to your doctor.

Sonata works very quickly, within one hour. Therefore, it is important to take Sonata when you are about to go to bed or after you are in bed and have trouble falling asleep. Do not take Sonata while you are still up, because you may experience, temporary memory problems, hallucinations, dizziness, difficulty with coordination, and or lightheadedness. Do not take Sonata unless you are able to get 4 or more hours of sleep before you must be active again.

What should I avoid while taking Sonata?

Because certain other medications can interact with Sonata, review all medications that you are taking with your doctor, or health care provider, including those you take without a prescription.

Tell your health care provider if you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Sonata is not recommended during pregnancy or nursing.

Until you know if Sonata causes you drowsiness during the day, be extremely careful while doing anything that requires your complete attention, or physical coordination, like driving a car, or operating machinery.