Zaleplon

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to help you sleep.

How does it work?

• Zaleplon binds to parts of the brain causing sleepiness.

How is it best taken?

• Take right before going to bed or after you have gone to bed and have trouble falling asleep.
• Do not take with or right after a big meal.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take this medicine on an as needed basis. Take only when you need it for sleep.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
• If your sleep problem is waking up in the early morning then this medicine will not help.
• Sleep medicines should be used for short periods of time and not every night. Do not take unless you can get at least 4 hours of sleep.
• Do not nap during the daytime.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have a history of depression or drug or alcohol abuse.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be more sensitive to this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are taking rifampin or cimetidine.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Limit caffeine (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake. This will prevent sleep.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy. Avoid driving or doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert. Wait to see how this medicine affects you.

What should I monitor?

• Change in falling asleep. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing, tightness in the chest, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin color, fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved