Zaleplon

About Zaleplon

Zaleplon acts on the GABA-A receptor, as benzodiazepines do, bringing on sleep quickly; its blood level falls by half in about an hour. In studies it shortened the time to fall asleep for up to 30 days but has not been shown to lengthen total sleep or reduce awakenings. It is taken right before bed, or after going to bed and failing to fall asleep, and only with time for a full night’s sleep of 7 to 8 hours. The usual adult dose is 10 mg; 5 mg is used in older adults, in mild to moderate liver disease and with cimetidine.

Its boxed warning covers complex sleep behaviors, such as sleep-walking and sleep-driving while not fully awake, which have caused serious injuries and deaths and can follow the first or any dose, with or without alcohol. Anyone who has one must stop it and not take it again. Next-day drowsiness and impaired driving are more likely with less sleep, a higher dose, alcohol or other sedatives. Headache, drowsiness, dizziness and nausea are common; memory lapses, abnormal thinking, worsening depression and, rarely, severe allergic swelling can occur.

If insomnia has not eased after 7 to 10 days, the label calls for a check for another cause. Stopping after regular use can bring rebound insomnia or withdrawal symptoms. As a Schedule IV drug, a prescription can carry up to five refills within six months. It is not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Taking Zaleplon

How to take it

Immediately before bed, or after going to bed if you cannot fall asleep, and only if you can stay in bed for a full night of 7 to 8 hours. Do not take it with or right after a heavy, high-fat meal, which slows its effect. Do not drive or do anything that needs alertness until you are fully awake.

If you miss a dose

It is taken only at bedtime. If you did not take it before bed and cannot fall asleep, MedlinePlus says you may take it only if you can stay in bed for at least 8 hours afterward. Never take a double dose.

Storage

At room temperature in the original container, tightly closed, away from heat and moisture, somewhere children and others cannot reach. Use a take-back program for unused capsules.

Interactions to know about

Alcohol, opioids and other sedatives add to drowsiness and impairment. Cimetidine raises its levels, so the starting dose is 5 mg, and rifampin sharply lowers them. Diphenhydramine adds to sleepiness. Stop it and call the prescriber if you do anything while not fully awake.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Zaleplon differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

With Sonata gone, every quote is for a generic from one of several manufacturers whose prices differ. Treatment is meant to be short-term, so fills are small and the dispensing fee is much of the price, and a pharmacy that does not stock zaleplon may need to order it.

Refill information for a Schedule IV prescription can be transferred between pharmacies only once, unless they share a real-time database, so it is worth choosing the pharmacy before the first fill.

Ways to pay less for Zaleplon without insurance

• Compare quotes from more than one pharmacy, since generic capsule prices differ.
• Ask whether zaleplon is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
• If it is costly or hard to find, ask the prescriber whether another sleep medicine, such as generic zolpidem, would suit you.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Zaleplon

1. 1.How many hours should I allow for sleep after taking it?
2. 2.What should I do if I find I did something I do not remember?
3. 3.Is it safe with alcohol or my other sleep, anxiety or pain medicines?
4. 4.How long should I use it, and how do I stop?

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