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Sleeplessness (insomnia) is a very common and impactful condition. Around 1 in 10 adults suffer from an insomnia disorder, and 1 in 5 will experience occasional insomnia symptoms. Zaleplon (Sonata) is a powerful medication used for the short-term treatment of sleeplessness. [1]
This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. If you are struggling with insomnia or want to learn more about being prescribed zaleplon, seek support from your healthcare provider.
- Zaleplon is a Z-hypnotic drug prescribed by healthcare professionals to treat insomnia.
- It should only be used for a few days (up to a maximum of 1-2 weeks) due to the risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
- Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, difficulty concentrating, headache, and muscle aches.
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What is zaleplon?
Zaleplon is classed as a central nervous system depressant. This means that it slows down the brain’s signaling pathways, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. In addition to Z-hypnotic drugs, other common sleep aid medications are also used: [2][3]
- Z-hypnotics: Zolpidem (Ambien), Eszopiclone (Lunesta), and Zaleplon (Sonata)When to seek medical attention
- Benzodiazepines: Diazepam (Valium), Clonazepam (Klonopin), and Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Barbiturates: Phenobarbital (Luminal), Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), and Mephobarbital (Mebaral)
- Antidepressants: Trazodone and Mirtazapine
Why is zaleplon prescribed?
A medical professional can prescribe zaleplon to treat insomnia, defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep. Due to its powerful effects and addictive potential, zaleplon is only prescribed for very short durations. Ideally, it should be used for 1 or 2 days and no longer than 1 or 2 weeks. [2]
When treating insomnia, your doctor will likely want to explore other treatment options before prescribing a central nervous system depressant. This may include: [4]
- Optimizing sleep hygiene
- Trying sedative antihistamine drugs, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or doxylamine (Unisom)
- Using melatonin, which is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle
- Treating depression, which can be a cause of insomnia
Common side effects of zaleplon
As with any medication, zaleplon comes with a few common side effects that it is important to be aware of: [2][5]
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Grogginess
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
These side effects may lessen or disappear over the course of treatment. However, if any are particularly bothersome, speak to a doctor.
Serious and rare side effects
On rare occasions, zaleplon can cause more severe side effects that require the medication to be stopped immediately. These include: [2][5]
- Abnormal thoughts and behaviors (including aggressiveness)
- Dangerous activities while sleeping
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Worsening mood (including worsening depression or thoughts of suicide)
- Memory loss
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Anxiety
- Chest pain or racing heart rate
- Blurred vision
- Severe drowsiness, including a slowed rate of breathing
It is important that you seek immediate medical attention should any of these serious adverse effects arise.
Factors that increase the risk of side effects
Ultimately, anyone who takes medication is at risk of developing side effects. However, there are a few factors that increase the likelihood of having side effects when taking zaleplon: [5]
- Side effects with previous zaleplon on Z-hypnotic drug use
- Consuming alcohol
- Taking other central nervous system depressant medication
- Exceeding the maximum recommended dose
- Taking zaleplon for longer than recommended
- Older age (zaleplon is prescribed with great caution in the elderly due to an increased risk of falls)
Managing and mitigating side effects
There is no foolproof way of avoiding medication side effects. However, it may be helpful to follow this advice to minimize the impact of zaleplon's side effects:
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Do not take other potentially drowsy medications, including over-the-counter remedies (consult your doctor about which medications to avoid).
- Take the minimum effective dose for the shortest possible time. Zaleplon should only be used as a very short-term insomnia treatment.
- Avoid taking zaleplon late at night to minimize the risk of ‘hangover’ drowsiness the following morning.
Zaleplon dependency and withdrawal
Despite first being presented as a safer and less habit-forming drug than benzodiazepines (like Valium and Xanax), evidence suggests that there is still a high chance of dependence with long-term use of Z-hypnotic drugs. Over time, tolerance to zaleplon reduces its effectiveness in treating insomnia, and continued treatment may only serve to prevent the development of withdrawal symptoms. [6]Â
Do not stop taking zaleplon without first consulting your healthcare provider. They will help guide you through a gradual drug withdrawal schedule and may even prescribe an alternative drug to help minimize the impact of zaleplon withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms
Symptoms of zaleplon withdrawal may include: [7]
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Tremor
- Restlessness
- Speech difficulties
- Abdominal pain
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Confusion
When to seek medical attention
It is important to speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about taking zaleplon. If you have been taking it for longer than the recommended maximum duration (1-2 weeks), contact your healthcare provider for support with stopping.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any severe adverse effects, such as abnormal thoughts, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), chest pain, blurred vision, or severe drowsiness.
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