Zaleplon is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It affects chemicals in your brain that may
become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Zaleplon is used to treat insomnia. This medication causes relaxation to help you fall
asleep and stay asleep.
Zaleplon may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zaleplon?
Zaleplon will make you fall asleep. Never take this medication during
your normal waking hours, unless you have at least 4 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving,
eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity.
If this
happens to you, stop taking zaleplon and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your
sleep disorder.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to zaleplon.
Before taking zaleplon, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
sleep apnea (breathing stops while you are asleep);
lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts;
or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take zaleplon.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Zaleplon can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of zaleplon may be stronger in older adults. Accidental falls are
common in elderly patients who take sedatives. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury
while you are taking zaleplon.
Zaleplon may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Zaleplon should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place
where others cannot get to it.
How should I take zaleplon?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Take zaleplon only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active
again.
Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you
have at least 4 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Take zaleplon with a full glass of water.
Avoid taking zaleplon within 1 hour after eating a high-fat or heavy meal. This will make
it harder for your body to absorb the medication.
Zaleplon is for short-term use only. Tell your doctor if your insomnia symptoms do
not improve, or if they get worse after using this medication for 7 to 10 nights in a row. Do not
take zaleplon for longer than 2 weeks without your doctor's advice.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking zaleplon after taking it over
several days in a row.
Do not stop taking zaleplon suddenly
without first
talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
Store zaleplon at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many capsules have been used from each new bottle of this
medicine. Zaleplon is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of zaleplon?
Since zaleplon is usually taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule.
Never take this medication if you do not have at least 4 hours to sleep before being active
again.
Do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose.
Where can I get more information about zaleplon?
Your pharmacist has information about zaleplon written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of zaleplon?
Zaleplon may cause a severe allergic reaction.
Stop taking
zaleplon and get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using zaleplon and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation;
dry mouth;
increased menstrual pain (cramps);
back pain, joint or muscle pain; or
mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about zaleplon?
Zaleplon may cause a severe allergic reaction.
Stop taking
zaleplon and get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Zaleplon will make you fall asleep. Never take this medication during
your normal waking hours, unless you have at least 4 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving,
eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity.
If this
happens to you, stop taking zaleplon and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your
sleep disorder.
Zaleplon can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. You may
still feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication. Until you know how this medication
will affect you during waking hours, be careful if you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane,
or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking zaleplon. It can increase some of the side
effects of zaleplon, including drowsiness.
Zaleplon may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Zaleplon should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place
where others cannot get to it.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking zaleplon after taking it over
several days in a row.
Do not stop taking zaleplon suddenly
without first
talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
What should I avoid while taking zaleplon?
Zaleplon can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. You may
still feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication. Until you know how this medication
will affect you during waking hours, be careful if you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane,
or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking zaleplon. It can increase some of the side
effects of zaleplon, including drowsiness.
Do not take
other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for depression or anxiety).
Avoid taking zaleplon during travel, such as to sleep on an airplane. You may be
awakened before the effects of the medication have worn off. Amnesia (forgetfulness) is more
common if you do not get at least 4 hours of sleep after taking zaleplon.
What other drugs will affect zaleplon?
Before taking zaleplon, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
cimetidine (Tagamet);
thioridazine (Mellaril);
promethazine (Phenergan, Promacot);
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin
(Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin),
itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
antidepressants such as imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil),
fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or sertraline (Zoloft); or
narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxers, seizure
medications, or anti-anxiety medications.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with zaleplon. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009