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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ZAL
e
plon) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Sonata® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Hypnotic, Nonbenzodiazepine |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to zaleplon or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to help you get to sleep. It shortens the time
it takes to get to sleep.
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|
| How does it work? |
|
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- Zaleplon binds to parts of the brain causing
sleepiness.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- 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.
- It can be effective for up to 35 nights of continuous use. Usually
should be taken for only 7 to 10
days.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take this medicine on an as needed basis. Take only when you need it
for sleep.
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| 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
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- 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 pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Poor coordination.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Change in falling asleep. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- 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.
- Unusual or disturbing thoughts.
- Trouble concentrating or memory loss after taking the night before.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- 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).
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