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IMPORTANT
NOTE: The following information is intended
to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to indicate
that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective
for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
using this drug.
ZALEPLON - ORAL (ZALL-eh-plon)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Sonata
USES: This medication
is used for the short-term treatment of sleep problems
(insomnia).
HOW TO USE: Take
this product by mouth, immediately before bedtime
or after you have gone to bed and have difficulty
sleeping, as directed by your doctor. Do not take
this medication with, or immediately after, a high-fat
or heavy meal. This medication helps you fall asleep.
To minimize side effects while you are awake (e.g.,
dizziness or memory trouble), take this medication
when you are in bed and are able to get at least four
hours of sleep before you need to be active again.
Do not use this medication for longer than ten days
without your doctor's approval. If your sleep problems
continue, consult with your doctor. Use this medication
exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose,
take it more frequently or use it for a longer period
of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming.
Also, if used for a longer period of time, do not
stop using this medication without your doctor's approval.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache,
drowsiness, nausea or stomach upset may occur. If
any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your
doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you
have any of these serious side effects: dizziness,
weakness, loss of coordination, muscle joint pain.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these
unlikely but serious side effects: mental/mood changes,
persistent trouble sleeping, memory problems, loss
of appetite, tingling of the hands or feet, rash,
itching, tremors, eye/ear problems. Tell your doctor
immediately if you have any of these very unlikely
but serious side effects: fast/slow/irregular pulse,
chest pain, trouble breathing, blood in the stool,
unusual thirst, change in amount of urine. If you
notice other effects not listed above, contact your
doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell
your doctor your medical history, including: allergies,
liver disease, lung/breathing problems, mental/mood
problems (e.g., depression), alcohol use or drug dependence.
Avoid alcohol, as it may aggravate certain side effects
of this drug (e.g., dizziness, drowsiness). Use caution
when performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving).
You may have trouble sleeping the first few nights
after you stop using this medication. This problem
usually goes away after one or two nights. If sleep
problems persist, consult with your doctor. Use with
caution in the elderly, as they may be more sensitive
to the effects of this medication. This medication
should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This
medication passes into breast milk. Because of the
potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while
using this medication is not recommended. Consult
your doctor before breast- feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all
prescription and nonprescription medication you may
use, especially of: rifamycin antibiotics (e.g., rifampin,
rifabutin), antidepressants (e.g., imipramine, amitriptyline),
ulcer medication (e.g., cimetidine). Also report any
drugs causing drowsiness such as: other medicines
for sleep, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety
drugs, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric
medications (e.g., thioridazine), anti-seizure medications
(e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), muscle
relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g.,
diphenhydramine). Check all medicine labels carefully,
especially cough-and-cold preparations, since many
contain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Consult
your pharmacist regarding safe use of these products.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or
pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose
is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose
may include drowsiness; confusion; sluggishness; loss
of coordination; slow, shallow breathing; and loss
of consciousness.
NOTES: Do not share
this medication with others.
MISSED DOSE: Not
applicable.
STORAGE: Store at
room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 to
25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. |
