Generic Sonata, Capsules

Chemical Name: ZALEPLON

Common uses

This medicine is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent used for the short-term treatment of insomnia due to difficulty falling asleep.

Before using

Additional monitoring of your dose of condition may be needed if you are taking cimetidine, sodium oxybate, rifampin, or medicine for seizures. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to tartrazine dye or aspirin), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have a history of severe liver problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine works very quickly. Take this medicine immediately before going to bed or after you have gone to bed and have had trouble falling asleep. Take this medicine only when you will be able to sleep 4 hours or longer. Avoid taking this medicine with or after a high-fat meal. Doing so may delay when the medicine will begin to work. Store this medicine at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees f (20 and 25 degrees c) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light.

Cautions

Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take this medicine for longer than prescribed. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may be habit-forming. If your symptoms do not improve in 7 to 10 days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Continue to use caution the morning after taking this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Taking this medicine while still up and about may cause memory loss, hallucinations, dizziness, lightheadedness, or clumsiness. Check with your doctor if you continue to have trouble sleeping or notice changes in your behavior or thinking.

Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution is advised when using this medicine in the elderly, as they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects

A side effect that may occur while taking this medicine is short-term memory loss. If it continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience daytime drowsiness or change in moods or behavior. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you take too much

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.

Additional information

You may experience trouble sleeping for 1 to 2 nights after you stop taking this medicine. If it continues, contact your doctor. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.