Zaleplon

Zaleplon, a prescription medication, is licensed to treat short-term insomnia in adults. The sleep medicine is effective in helping people fall asleep faster but does not appear to help people stay asleep longer or wake up less frequently during the night. Zaleplon, which comes in 5 mg and 10 mg capsules, is a controlled substance and can be abused. Since the medication can be habit-forming, it should be used with caution and taken only as needed.

 

What Is Zaleplon?

Zaleplon (Sonata®) is a prescription sleep medication used for short-term insomnia treatment. It belongs to a class of medications called sedatives or hypnotics. Zaleplon is most effective for people who have trouble falling asleep, rather than people who have trouble staying asleep.
 
(Click What Is Zaleplon Used For? for more information on Zaleplon uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Zaleplon?

Zaleplon is manufactured by King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 

How Does Zaleplon Work?

Zaleplon is part of a class of medications called sedative/hypnotics, which are known more commonly as sleep medicines. Like many other sleep medications, it is a controlled substance and may be abused.
 

Zaleplon Effects

Zaleplon has been evaluated in several clinical studies for insomnia. In studies of zaleplon for chronic insomnia, people who took the medicine fell asleep faster than people who did not take the drug. Similar results were seen in a study of zaleplon in people with transient insomnia (insomnia that comes and goes). In these studies, zaleplon did not help people to stay asleep longer or to wake up less frequently during the night.
 
Also, studies have shown that zaleplon can cause mild rebound insomnia (worsening of insomnia after stopping a medication). Rebound insomnia symptoms usually occurred for only one night after zaleplon was stopped, after which people returned to their normal sleeping patterns.
 
(Zaleplon Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;